Don't forget...

Last night AJ was at the table eating his ice cream and brownie, while Russ and I were chatting by the island. Previously quiet Aylen starts singing, "change, change, change, you want me to change." Shocked we turned and applauded as AJ had just completed a verse from one of our favorite Churchill songs. He has never done that before! Hopefully he'll follow in his Momma's lyrical genius footsteps.

Tonight before shower time Rykee flew into AJ's room. After a few minutes we went to check on him and this is what we saw..

Great weekend, great boys!
Love,
Momma

Diary from the infirmary

(A late post that never published

All boys (except Sampson) have contracted the flu in the Fruvellhoff household. Thank goodness AJ is on the mend, Ryk is still in the thick of it and Russ may be a lost cause (poor guy). Seriously days before Aruba it was the stomach flu that got all the boys-now its the respiratory one.

This is the first time since, well hum...30+ hours ago that I've been alone. No one is clinging on me, snotting on me, or fevering me up and it feels weird. I should be sleeping, but it's kind of nice to have a breather.oh and check out this fancy rhyme I made up...delirious, yes much.

Here's to some health in our house, especially so we can try and celebrate 29's birthday tomorrow!!!

And I hear crying...on that note....

Love,
Momma

Hat

(A late post that never published)

AJ just removed my hat for nap time because it was "in my way" for cuddling.

If I got paid to cuddle, I'd be a millionaire by now.

More on that to come.

Love,
Momma

AJ- isms

Tonight we were reading from the dinosaur book. I asked AJ if he had a pet dinosaur what would he name it. AJ said, "the dinosaurs are so big they would eat me. They would scare me." I told him that he doesn't have to worry that his dad and I would protect him, to which he said, "yea you would save me."

Last night he was explaining to Russ how the evening was going to work. Then he looked at Russ and said, "Dad, you understand?"

And I wish I had a recorder because they keep coming!

Love,
Momma

29 to 1

Dear 29, Ryke, Ryker-Man, Ryker Lee,

You turned one almost 2 weeks ago and I'm finally writing your blog post.  Oh little man what a whirlwind it has been.  I'm dealing with some Momma guilt-how about I just get it all out.  Sorry lil man that we didn't celebrate your birthday on your birthday, sorry that your cake was not a cake, sorry that I didn't blog until now, and I'm letting it go. right. NOW.

See Rykee, on your birthday you were experiencing Day 2 of the Plague.  You were oh so fevery, and all you wanted was me.  You just wanted to cuddle and sleep on my chest.  It reminded me of the first few months of your birth.  Rarely do I get to experience you just being still.  Your Grandpa was here to help take care of the family while you boys recovered from the sickness, thank goodness.  When I made the comment to you, "Sorry Ryke we aren't celebrating like we should be.."  Your Grandpa reminded me that I was doing exactly what you wanted and needed me to do for you on your birthday.  You just needed your Momma.  I suppose he was right.

The next weekend our friends came down to help us celebrate.  I decided to make a cake and some cupcakes.  After pouring all of the cupcakes i realized I'd forgetten the eggs.  Yea. BIG FAIL.  But I still had that darn cake for you.  I added the egg, and baked that thing up!  And it turned out.  It was going to be awesome.  UNTIL, the dogs worked in tandem to hit it off the counter, onto the floor, and directly into their mouths.  We had brownies instead.  You love brownies...and I'm pretty sure you survived eating those:)  It wasn't exactly the big birthday celebration that I had envisioned and I had to fight these feelings of ....oh noooo is this what happens with #2 and/or when a birthday is this close to Christmas.  But it was the Plague.  I believe that.  I also believe that I'm more realistic with what you want right now.  You want to hangout with your family.  You could care less about the huge party, or the cake, or the presents.  You want us.  

I can't believe it has been ONE WHOLE year since I was CONVINCING you to come make your appearance already.  You have been such a light in our life.  You have this contagious smile that infects everyone around you.  It's true...every daycare person, random people in a store, your family...you single-handedly make days better with that smile. 
You have the beat, and it doesn't matter where it comes from you will dance to it.  Whether it is a commercial, the radio, my attempts at beat-boxing, the phone, radio, the pump, you name it.  You still never cease to amaze us with your sleeping abilities.  I mean seriously, the crib used to be for holding laundry and now it actually has a sleeping guy in it.  Who would have thought?
 
You recently began hugging me when I pick you up.  Dad has informed me that I'm the only one that gets these special hugs.  I know that it's only temporary.  You're a special guy that will probably be hugging everyone in no time.  But for right now I feel so awesome to have that between you and me.  

It's so true about what they say when you have another child...your heart doesn't split, it most definitely swells twice as much.  It has been the coolest thing to watch you and your brother begin to play more.  I keep hearing the road will be tough for you two...fighting, hitting, not sharing, but I just hope that you two can be each others' best friends some day.  Seeing you together, playing-chasing-working with your tools, makes me know that no matter how tough it gets you boys were TWO of the best things that ever happen to me.

 Love you so much Ryker Lee.  AND next year-you're going to get a rad cake.  With eggs in it.

Momma

My heart..

Has been a bit heavy watching Aylen John have these extreme meltdowns. Everyone says it's normal, and I'm probably normal by saying "I don't know it seems more extreme than normal". So to tonight I'm enjoying a somewhat level-headed AJ and his new Nikes.

Here's to a restful, peaceful weekend!
Love,
Momma

The difference.

#1 is having meltdown after Meltdown this am. "I DoN't WaNT anYTHing!!!!!"

#2 is relaxing on Dad and getting better from the Plague.

Happy NYD!
Love,
Momma