365/365

Hope everyone has a great New Year! We went to a party at a neighbors house. It was nice. We have the most wonderful neighbors. It was great to hang out with all of them and their kiddos!

364/365

Crazy kind of day. The boys and I went shopping most of the morning. I had told them if they did not fight at all the entire time they could pick something out at the very end. I have NEVER tried this before. All I can say is why in the world did I wait so long to try this tactic????? It has given me a few ideas of how to possibly deal with Cameron and his continued torture of his brother.

They were pretty cute this morning though and named each of the stores we went to after their favorite "Cars" characters. So we went to Sally, Doc Hudson and Maters. Translation...Lowe's Joann's and Target. And of course we road in Lightening McQueen. Aka, Mommy's car. You gotta love having boys!

363/365

What a nice day. The boys and I got to play all morning and then I was able to go to dinner with a friend. Much needed. I will say it is so nice to say I am actually making friends here!

Noah and I played for like 30-45 minutes tonight just rolling around on the floor and me tickling him. It was so much fun and his laugh just makes my heart swell. I laid on the floor and he would roll over to me and have me tickle him. He would giggle and then roll away. Coming right back for more. When I tried to sit up and tickle him I was quickly informed I needed to lay back down. I guess he enjoyed me being on his level instead of towering over him. Sometimes I think we need to realize that more often with our children. They see the world so differently than we do.

362/365

Man, Cameron was a handful today. This always seems to happen the day after Mike is off for any amount of time or when we have company in. Praying it only lasts one day because he was just mean to Noah all day. I am really glad they will be going to separate schools in January now. He really needs some space and some things that are just his own. Really think this will be a very good thing.

361/365

It snowed today! A lot! We got over 4 inches of snow!!!!!! And yes, we did go out and play. I was shocked the boys stayed out almost an hour and still weren't ready to come in. I bribed them with cookies and milk for a snack. Their little noses were starting to run. So basically we played inside most of the day and enjoyed watching the snow.

360/365

My boys are three years old today. I just can't believe it. They amaze me and I want to capture every minute I can on film or in my memory somehow. I know it isn't possible but I love them so very much and I want them to know how much they were loved. They are these amazing little guys and I want to soak in everything possible during this wonderful time in their lives.

359/365

Oh wow. The boys had a ball today opening presents and playing. All morning they played with all their toys virtually with no one else around. They kept going from one thing to another. It was pretty stinking cute. I wish I would have taken more photos but I was just enjoying watching them.

358/365

Ah, Christmas Eve. This used to be my absolute favorite day. My family celebrated a little differently I guess. We used to open our gifts on Christmas Eve after a huge dinner and enjoying time with family. When we were little we all used to have to go outside and watch for "Santa" or the North Star. That is when my parents would bring everything out and tell us Santa had come. Then we got to play with our toys a while and it was off to Midnight Mass. I really, really miss this tradition. Hoping that when the boys get a little older we will be able to enjoy this as well. They are just not ready to sit through a service like that.

We had a nice dinner, the boys got to play with their grandparents so they were thrilled. Exhausted, but thrilled. Been a very busy week for us and they are tuckered already.

357/365

Busy, busy day. Noah's speech therapist had phoned yesterday to see if she could come one more time before their therapy was up. So she came this morning, then their OT came this afternoon and then their grandparents arrived. They are wiped out already and the visit is just beginning. Hopefully they will make it through the holidays just fine.

I am really, really going to miss their OT. I loved her coming and the boys adored her! I hope she and I will be able to keep in touch because she is an awesome person!

356/365

I took Noah this morning to meet his new teach and classmates. Wow. They were right when they say the parents have a harder time with the adjustment than the kids do. He loved exploring the classroom and didn't want to leave. The teacher bribed him with cookies. I thought I was going to have to carry him out kicking and screaming.

I actually got to spend some one on one time with each of the boys today! I had Noah in the morning while Cameron went with Daddy and then we switched out in the afternoon. Such a wonderful time.

Ordered the boy's birthday cake today. Still can't believe they will be 3!

355/365

Ten days left in 2009. Wow. I just can't believe it. And today is the first day of winter. The days will only get longer from here until June.

354/365

Got most of the presents wrapped today thankfully. Only a few left to go...woo-hoo! I got some Thomas trains from someone who was selling their used ones today. The boys were in heaven. That is all they played with for the rest of the day. Oh man are they going to be thrilled when Santa comes.

353/365

I am finally feeling somewhat better. I can function at least. Oh, and eat again. I am thankful for that! Now time to play catch up and get ready for next week! Did some last minute Christmas shopping and lots of playing with the boys today. It snowed. They woke up and had to watch it from their windows. So stinking cute!

352/365

I was sick again today. The boys had to go to their usual play spot while daddy worked and I slept. Man, I hope this goes away soon!

351/365

The boys were tuckered tonight! Normally when they get home from PDO we kind of have some quiet, wind down kind of time. Not today, they wanted to show Daddy how they could jump. And jump they did. Then it was off to dinner and back for bath and bed. They were out within minutes. Poor little guys. But I think they had a good day.

350/365

What a day. I am still having terrible vertigo, which comes along with lovely nausia, so in other words I can't eat. So much fun! But the boys were troopers as iusual and were so good almost the entire day. Even when asked if they wanted to go to play at the local spot they go to they wanted to stay home with Mommy. Aw, made my heart melt a little.

Their trampolines arrived from Nana and Pawpaw today. Of course they wouldn't stop the pestering and trying to scale the boxes so I opened them. I was desperate. They jumped on them for a long while and when I put them away they were actually pretty good about it. I was surprised. My little guys are growing up! Still so hard for me to believe they will be three in a week and a half!!!!!!

349/365

We had a good day today. Mike spent some time with Cameron before he headed out and Cameron was in rare form. He put Mike's glasses on and said "I'm a cool dude." It was the cutest thing ever! Especially at 7:00 in the morning. Luckily I grabbed the camera and was able to video it.

The boys got to talk to their Pawpaw this evening. We all three got on the phones together. My, that was a circus.

When I was putting Cameron to bed this evening he asked to read the Bible as he usually does. But this evening he told me he wanted me to read the story about Noah. It made my heart just melt.

348/365

Well, we met this morning with the developmental preschool. Noah will be starting in January. I am not so sure I am ready for this but I have to do what is best for my kiddos. I know that.

Noah has decided he likes to be helpful. He spilled his juice at the table in the morning while I had walked upstairs to get something and when I came back down he had gotten tissues (the only thing he could reach) and was wiping the table. And he had so much fun running back and forth from the tissue box to the table and then to the trash. It was pretty stinking cute.

347/365

The day just flew by. After the boys got up this morning Mike actually went to get us some breakfast so I decided to try and distract them while they waited. I had recorded "Polar Express" last night thinking they may enjoy the movie. Oh my! They were glued to the TV the entire movie. I didn't think 3 year olds could sit for that long! We ended up watching it a total of 3 times today, although each of the boys only watched it twice. I guess I should say I ended up watching it twice.

Noah took a nap and just now fell asleep. Poor little guy. I am afraid he got his mommie's night owl personality. But I will admit I enjoyed the hour and a half of snuggling with him while he was sleeping. Yep, I held him the entire time and loved every minute of it.

Both of the boys talked about almost nothing else but "Choo Choo Press" or "Polar Press" as Cameron says. So very cute.

Our neighborhood lighted luminaries all over tonight and so we ventured out and rode around looking at Christmas lights and enjoying it all. The boys seemed to love looking at the lights and Noah didn't want to stop. I think Cameron was ready to go home only because he had been sitting the majority of the day and was ancy. So full of energy all the time. Have no idea where he gets that one from.

346/365

I did our Christmas card today. It took almost half the day to do the entire thing and send it off to be printed. Ugh! I feel like the day started and ended so quickly. And I missed playing with the boys and Mike. I could hear them so at least I got to enjoy it that way.

Cameron has started to really make up a lot of words. It is so stinking cute! He gives his cars names and we have a great time making them "talk" to each other. A few of the names today were Cavive, Shicka, Shicky, and Chuka. When he started doing this the other day I thought he was just making up a word and wouldn't remember it. So I asked him after a minute or so to tell me the names again (I really had forgotten) and he named them all right off. So that became our little game. He will sometimes change it up just to throw me off I think. But man it has been amazing to see his imagination unfold right before my eyes.

Noah is talking so, so much more and speaking a lot more clearly these days. It just seems to continue to improve each week. I am so thankful. I do think he may be getting sick again though. Tonight at bed time he was very clingy and cried a little. He has really only done that lately when he ended up sick in the next day or two. Hoping it was just an "off" evening and not that! He was being so funny right before bed and carrying this little light up pumpkin thing that goes around your neck around. He kept looking at it like it was a pocket watch and then he started saying "Time tunnel approaching." He then made a "dinosaur train" and got up and was the conductor. They never cease to make me smile from ear to ear.

345/365

The boys are wanting to have jammie days every day now. Hmm, would be easy for me but I don't' think I can let my nearly 3 year olds run around all the time in their jammies. Although some days I wish I could have those footy things again and be all cozy.

344/365

Wow, the year is really drawing to an end quickly. Just so unbelievable for me. Still can't seem to wrap my head around the fact they will be three in just a few short weeks. Two to be exact. Wow.

Tried again today to get some photos for the Christmas card. I am giving up and am just going to figure something else out. Noah refuses to "smile" or look at me when I have the camera. The days are ticking by and I need to get them done and in the mail!

The boys cracked me up tonight. I got them a new book today at their book fair at school. It was called The Very Cranky Bear. I figured it would help me teach them a little about being cranky. Right after I read it to them we watched Rudolph (the movie) and of course when the Abominable Snowman came up Cameron called him the "Cranky Bear." Mike and I laughed. So the rest of the movie they called him that and Noah even went so far as to give us a dialog about it. Oh, try explaining to two 3 year olds about the snowman and the prospector falling over the cliff. That took some creative thinking on our part. Ha! I am learning to be quicker on my feet now than I used to be. But it was a good learning experience I guess for all involved.

When we dropped them off at PDO this morning we got this adorable picture in these super cute frames they made. Oh my goodness did I gush over this thing today. And obviously so since I made it my picture for today. The things that melt our hearts as parents.

343/365

We had a jammie day today. The boys had a ball. We had a pretty good day. Maybe all I needed was to get them some extra sleep for the fighting to get better. Hey, whatever works I will do!

Cameron sang "Jingle Bells" totally on his own and unprompted this afternoon. I just stopped and sat and listened to him. Of course when I went to get the camera to viseo it he stopped. Sigh. Oh well, I will always have the memory I guess.

Got some more Christmas shopping done today. Yippee! Only really have a few things left to get and some little gifts for teachers, etc. December came and is going very, very quickly!

342/365

It's been a dreary day weather wise here. I have had a headache for 2 days and I am ready for the weather to get sunny for a while. Always get these when it is overcast. Yuck.

The boys were completely exhausted from their day at "school" and then Kindermusik. They were out within minutes of getting in bed. And Noah hasn't done that in weeks! So I was thankful tonight he went to sleep so quickly. When he is over tired he is so cranky. I think they have both been exhausted these last few weeks (no napping anymore) and it has finally caught up with them. They have been at each other constantly for the last few weeks. After them taking a nap yesterday they seemed in so much of a better mood both yesterday afternoon and today. Now I know I just need to put them in the car and drive for an hour once in a while. Ha!

341/365

December is quickly ticking away. Rough day with the boys. I played referee the entire day. Hoping we can make peace soon. During one of the many time outs we had today Cameron decided he could figure out how to crawl down out of his crib. He did it quiet and one would have never known had he not announced it to me.

It snowed last night. I LOVE to see everything all white and fresh. Just something about snow. The boys loved it and kept looking out the windows. Noah even talked about a "white Christmas." Made my mommy heart melt. Guess we have been listening to Christmas music a lot lately.

340/365

Crazy day. The boys are in super hyper and soon to be three year old mode these days. Trying to have patience. They can still make me laugh though no matter how crazy and exhausting our day has been. Noah had the giggles this evening and their laugh is so very infectious!

339/365

The boys went to Breakfast with Santa this morning! They had a great time and Cameron sat on Santa's lap while Noah sat with Mrs. Claus. I seriously can't believe they both went to them and sat with them all on their own! And they both decided to ask Santa for trains. Um, that is like the one thing this Santa hasn't gotten them!

338/365

We had a busy day but nothing much to report today. Still having trouble with them going after one another constantly. We did manage to decorate cookies today though. And of course the "baby cars" had to be involved. Can't do much without either Puppy or the baby cars, or both these days!

337/365

Cameron has decided he needs to bite his brother yet again. Last night he had bitten him on one arm, this morning before we left for school he bit him (hard) on the other arm. When I went to pick them up at PDO they informed me they both had a rough day. Lots of fighting between them and Noah kept hitting people and even hurt a little girl with a toy. Ugh! What is going on with them? Changes in our routine are not good obviously. Must get back on track!

336/365

What a day. It all seems to go by so quickly these days in so many respects and yet drag out in others. Such a strange feeling at the end of the day.

The boys got to play at their favorite spot today while I went to a doctor's appointment. The afternoon got kind of out of whack because we had a cancellation (rescheduling really) so the boys were disappointed. But they quickly rebounded and were off playing together in no time. They actually played pretty well together today. Now if I could only get Cameron to stop the biting and tackling his brother we would be set. I wonder if that will truly ever stop some days. It's just so tough to see them hurt each other and feel powerless. When I try to talk to them about it they just laugh and go on their merry way. Frustrating. Some day though...

335/365

Attempting to take Christmas photos of the boys. What was I thinking?

334/365

Whew! The boys are really testing their limits these days. Today was one of "those days." At one point this evening Noah even poked Cameron in the eye with a toy. Just walked right up to him and bam! No reason, no provoking. Cameron and I were sitting there playing with a train. Oh my, what is it going to be like when they get bigger?????

Even still, they find ways to make me laugh every day. Noah cracked me up a few times when I really shouldn't have been laughing. I just couldn't help it. I even have to go hide under a blanket or something at times because I can't help but laugh.

Oh! And Cameron decided he wanted to showcase his artwork today. I would classify this as our first real coloring of the walls. And I am sure there is a lot of that to be found in our future. He colored two walls and a window. What can I say, the kid loves to color!

They also made me laugh when we were creating pictures with these glittery Christmas things and they decided their cars needed to be decked out in them instead of the paper. I think I have some creative little guys on my hands.

333/365

Now how can you resist this face? I am amazed at how photogenic Cameron has become. When they were babies they were just the opposite. Noah runs from the camera now so I wouldn't really know these days. Ha! I wonder how many times they will switch back and forth on me on so many number of things.

I think Noah may be getting croup again. Ugh! Twice within a month...not going to be good. Praying it does not turn into this but he coughed earlier and my heart sank. I have kind of suspected it all day today. He woke up around midnight last night screaming. He told me he was afraid and when I finally got out of him what he was afraid of he told me his water (we leave a sippy cup of water in their beds for them). Hmm, I really wanted to chalk it up to bad dreams but mommy instincts tell me otherwise. Are mommy instincts ever wrong?

Still can't keep the boys away from the tree. They have decided they like to play chase around it. Thinking the gate may have to come up around it this year if this continues. I am just so afraid of the tree falling on them more than anything.

332/365

We put up the tree today. The boys seemed to really enjoy it. Now we just have to teach them to leave the bulbs alone. Cameron wants to hold them to get glitter on his hands and Noah likes to jump up and say "almost got it" to the ones that are just out of his reach. It's pretty funny actually. And knowing them, the more you fight it the more they are going to do it. I wonder where that stubborn streak comes from?

Neither of the boys slept well last night. Still worried about Noah getting sick and now actually both of them. I am hoping Cameron just woke up because of how dry it is right now. I had been putting a humidifier in their room but haven't really since they have changed rooms. Guess I need to again.

331/365

The boys wanted to stay home again today and not go anywhere. Noah had a really hard time going to bed tonight. Hoping it is just the change in routine and that he is not getting sick. I am praying he is not getting sick again, especially so soon.

The boys have really loved going and playing in their rooms this last week. They will stay up there a long while running back and forth and just having a ball. Today I caught them with the camera while they were playing in the closet in Cameron's room. They always crack me up when they do this. And it always scares me just a little because they slam the doors and I am just waiting for one of their hands to get smashed. But they have a ball so I just keep asking for them to be more gentle with the sliding doors. What else can you do?

330/365

We had a great Thanksgiving. The photo today is the boys talking on the phone to their grandparents. Pretty cute! A few of our neighbors stayed in town and we went over to one of their houses for lunch. It was a nice way to spend the day. The boys had fun playing and Cameron even took a nap when we came home. He really needed it. Poor guy keeps waking up early to see his daddy. It tends to catch up with him after several days.

So very thankful for so many things. But I have to say I thank God every day for these beautiful little boys. They are amazing and wonderful and I am so very blessed.

329/365

Crazy kind of day. Won't bore anyone with the details but I am thankful it is behind me.

The boys have such great imaginations. They are always pretending or surprising me with something new they have said. They have even started making up new words. Noah has started calling Cameron what sounds like "Pain" but I am not sure that is really what he is saying. It's pretty funny. When you ask him about it he just stops talking.

328/365

The boys are doing well sleeping in their new rooms! When I woke Noah this morning I was cuddling with him in the rocker and asked if he had a good "sleepy last night." He said yes. Then I asked if he liked sleeping in his own room and he shook his head yes again. So sweet! I am sure he is enjoying not being woke up by his brother each morning. I had to go in and wake him this morning from a dead sleep. Now if we could just get him to go to bed at night!

I am still amazed at how fast Noah's speech is improving. When we got in the car after PDO today he told me all about his finger and how it was smashed with a chair. This is just amazing to me that this is the same child who hardly talked a month ago. I am so very thankful!

327/365

First night in the new rooms. It went well! Yippee! I think this is going to be a good thing. I am sure there will still be some adjusting but hopefully this first night is a sign of the way it will be.

Picked up a new monitor and some lamps but still have several things to find. Right now it feels really empty to me in their rooms. So have to get some stuff on the walls along with the other things they need. I am thinking we can let them have toys now in their rooms so they can go play whenever they like up there if they want to be alone. Hmm, still thinking that one out. I am always afraid they will climb out of their cribs to try and play with the toys so have never put any in their room. Still pondering that one.

And of course I forgot until I was headed to bed to take a picture. So I figured it was very fitting seeing as I have been cleaning and all the last several days. Today we used the Magic Eraser to get rid of the mysterious crayon marks on the wall. I have yet to figure out when they did that one.

326/365

I got the rooms moved around and the boys are now sleeping in their own rooms! I am not sure how well they are going to sleep but hey, we have to start somewhere. They kept yelling back and forth so they could hear each other tonight. Pretty funny. Still have a lot to do and need to get a few pieces of furniture now for their rooms. Plus have to find lamps, an extra nightlight, another rocking chair for Cameron's room, a monitor, another humidifier and a clock. Man, what was I thinking doing this right before Christmas? Ha!

325/365

I spent the day cleaning out out extra bedroom. Very nervous about getting the rooms switched around tomorrow but it has to be done. I've made it this far there is no turning around now. The boys had a great time spending the day with their daddy since he has been out of town all week. So it worked out well.

I was running late this afternoon after running an errand so I picked up Chick-fil-A on the way home. I came home and put the bags on the table and Noah was so excited. I have never seen him get this excited over chicken. He jumped up and ran over to the table saying "Mommy got chicken" and got into his chair ready to eat. Shocked me.

We let the boys up in the nearly empty extra room (soon to be Cameron's room) and they both kept saying "my room" over and over again. I think it will be a good thing but I am still nervous about how they are going to do.

324/365

Noah had speech this morning and then after lunch we headed to the doctor's office. He has fluid on both ears and an ear infection starting in one. So not looking forward to the antibiotics for the next five days! But hey, it's only five instead of ten this time. And after a lot of coaxing tonight he actually took it and seemed to be surprised at the taste. So hopefully this will be a good thing.

Cameron has DT this afternoon. He hardly played with her at all, she spent more time with Noah than she did with him. He has been a wee bit defiant today. Hmm, wonder what is up with that?

323/365

The boys went to PDO today and I caught up on all kinds of things around the house. After they came home we were playing with the balls (throwing them up in the air in our front entry way) and Noah happened to get one stuck on the ledge of our front window. It was pretty funny listening to the two of them talk about it. They are so stinking cute at this age and their vocabulary is just growing by leaps and bounds.

Cameron has called meatloaf "messy chicken" for a while now. It is probably a name that will stick for some time to come. I am not a meatloaf eater but I have found the one from Hormel I really like. It has some kind of tomato sauce on the top, hence the name messy. Hey, if they'll eat it they can call it anything they like!

Getting nervous about splitting the boys rooms up. Having second thoughts but know it is the best thing to do. Just not so sure they are ready for toddle beds yet.

322/365

A really nice day at home. It seems whenever given the chance these days the boys just want to stay at home and play. It's been cold and rainy all week so I don't mind doing this one bit. Plus we have OT this afternoon which always adds to the fun for the day. So lots of running around the house, coloring, playing with play-doh, and pretending.

The boys took all their stuffed dogs and created a "puppy family." They played for about 30 minutes just pretending the dogs were all family and having conversations. I have to admit I am loving this age in so many ways. Their imaginations are just amazing. Why do we have to lose that as we get older?

Noah's speech is rapidly improving. It has been amazing this last month. It's like a light bulb went off or something for him or someone flipped a switch. We started speech but now I don't think he really even needs it. Cracks me up that every time I start really worrying about something and do something that whatever it was I was worried about works out. And here I was trying not to worry. Maybe I just need to worry sooner so that we can get it over with faster. Ha!

321/365

Busy busy day. And of course as I was turning out all the lights downstairs tonight I realized that I had not taken a picture. I posted these little reminders so that every time I walk by this hopefully I will see them and stop to think a minute. That spot is in my kitchen and I walk by it a lot during the day. He, he.

We went to Kindermusik this evening and the boys were totally exhausted by the full day by the end of class. I am thinking having their "school" on the same day as Kindermusik isn't such a good idea. Poor Noah had me carry him the last 5 minutes or so of class because he was just wiped out. But they enjoy it so next semester we will opt for a different day I think.

320/365

Just a day full of play. The boys got to spend time with Daddy this morning while I had an appointment first thing. Then we played and they had wanted to go to our local play spot. This is becoming a weekly thing. Every Sunday Cameron asks to go, it is closed on Sundays so we tell him he can go tomorrow. And of course I can't not take him. I have to keep my word so I always ask and yes, he still wants to go. They always have such a great time and it gave me some time to get a few things done and even relax for a few minutes. Yippee!

319/365

Cloudy day so we spent the entire day inside. Very restless by the end of the day! They wanted to have a jammy day so that is what we did. They were so stinking cute all day running around.

We attempted the take their booster seats off and let them sit in regular chairs. We are so not ready for that yet. Noah just keeps getting down over and over again. Cameron is actually pretty good at staying in his chair. Needless to say the boosters went back on after they went to bed tonight.

Loving the bookshelves. The boys are learning to pick up their toys better before bringing out new ones. We have tried this in the past but just never really had a good set up for it. Now we do. So far, so good. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Still feeling the effects from the steroids Noah was on last week. We are almost back to regular bed time habits but he is still fighting it and crying for me when I put them down. Breaks my heart and I just want to run in and hold him. Going to attempt putting each of them in their own room soon. I may lose my sanity over the next month. That is is I had any left to lose.

318/365

The boys LOVE to play outside and thankfully we had some really awesome weather today. They even got to jump in leaves for the first time! I hated I didn't have my camera with me but I did take a few on my phone. Shucks...maybe next year.

317/365

Cameron decided to put on the football pants that really are for his stuffed bear. It was pretty funny. He then walked around the house and kept holding up the helmet to his head. He even tried to figure out how to put the shirt on or at least hold it up to himself while holding the helmet as well. It was all rather entertaining to watch. You can see those wheels in motion in his head.

316/365

They crack me up with the bins. As always...monkey see, monkey do.