Thoughts of a mother...: The small things....

As I'm writing this Ethan is fast asleep in our room and our spirited, strong-willed first born is screaming in the room next door... The last few nights have been battles of note at bed time and we are really at our wits end.. Leaving him to scream doesn't work either cause he is really proving his will is quite strong compared to our threshold of listening.. It goes on for up to an hour and a half.... But I'm holding on.. 'Cause alas 'this too shall pass'...

The real reason for this post is to write down some things we must remember.. The small things the boys are doing which I don't want to forget.. So I've made a list and here goes...

Jaydon's list..

- He gives us this wry smile while actually trying really hard not to smile, when you give him something he wasn't planning on getting or when he is cross and you try make him smile and he actually thinks you are funny but doesn't want us to see he thinks so...

- How he can eat a whole avocado and think its the best meal ever..

- Hiding behind the couches when we call him to do something or when trying to leave the house.. It becomes the biggest game to get him from there and he squeals with delight when you 'find' him..

- How he randomly walks up to Ethan and kisses his hand..

- How he can watch the garden boy for the longest time, explaining in great detail to me what he sees.. 'Ti-aahh-aa-aahh-a-a, Ti-uuhh-u-aah-uu-uh'...

- How he just walk up to me and take my hand to show me something he wants to do.. Which can be anything from going for a walk, to playing Mickey mouse on the iPad or his latest favorite, getting the vacuum cleaner and 'vacuum' for me...

- Pure excitement at chasing Tigger and how Tigger actually just loves it and keeps coming back for more...

- The pure excitement he shows at the randomest things, just tripling on the spot and laughing out loud..

- How he kisses me goodnight with a big 'mmmwwwaaahhhhh'...

(By the way he's finally gone to sleep.....)

And Ethan...

- The way he gets visibly excited at the sound of my voice or when he sees me (yes it's just lovely knowing I'm the most important person is his life -for now...)

- His thorough enjoyment of his night time massage before I bath him..

- The way he watches Jaydon intently, almost studying and taking in everything Jaydon does so that he can do the same some time soon.. He even studies him in the car while we driving, and Jaydon leans over to hold onto his car seat for the longest time...

- How he now takes the toys Jaydon hand him.. even took some play-dough Jaydon gave him, and oh was Jaydon happy about that..!

- How he sighs in his sleep.. He's done this since he was a newborn and I actually listen out for it cause I know he then sleeps really nicely..

- The way he absolutely loves his bath time.. He has an internal clock for 18:45 and really starts moaning big time, but as soon as we walk upstairs and get ready to bath he becomes all smiles and kicks his legs wildly with excitement...! And he just loves being naked, with each layer of clothes I remove he laughs more..

- The way he snuggles up to me early in the mornings while lying in bed after Michael has left for work... Aaaahh the joys of being able to lie in on cold winter mornings..

- The way he rubs his eyes to wake up or when he is very tired.. It's amazed me every time he was doing it since he was ony a few weeks old..

- How since he was only a few days he just wants to stand up on his legs instead of sitting when you hold him up..

There's so many things I just love about my boys and these are just naming a few.. Seeing them grow and develop is really a privilege and a real blessing..

I'm also adding some photos of the last few days..

I put Ethan in the cot with Jaydon when he wakes up in the morning..

Ethan was way more interested in the cot mobile than greeting his brother...

Jaydon's has really become attached to his 'Padda'.. it goes along everywhere, at bath time tonight I had to stop him from taking him with in the bath!

Jaydon has found a new adoration for his 'padda'...

'Padda' goes with everywhere...

Being silly at the breakfast table..!

Jaydon has this fascination with the washing machine... can sit and watch it endlessly.. and needless to say many toys and things lying around gets found in the washing machine...! (His new storage place..). He's still a bit scared to get too close while its washing though...

Watching from a 'safe' distance..

Mickey mouse clubhouse.. (and Mickey also part of the fun)

Rolling on the floor with 'Padda'

Even aunty Jo and Tigger joined in the fun!

Couldn't resist when he saw this scooter in the park.

Playing while waiting in the ENT waiting rooms yesterday..

Had some fun getting dressed this morning.. the two boys did some bonding on mommy and daddy's bed...

Jaydon: 'This is my thumb'.. Ethan: 'That's so cool!'

A little pat on the head..

'Oh look, he has a belly button!'

'Mmmmwwwaaaaahhh!'

And one for the other hand...!

Love being naked.!

Delicious toes..

Some more perfection...

Holding on to Ethan's car seat cover when we drive..

Went to visit Aunty Nadine and Alexander at the horse stables this morning.. He really has fun playing with his little friend..

Found a new 'toy'..

With Alexander in the wheelbarrow..

Jaydon and Alexander.. together but each on their own mission...

The three of us.. our shadows.. Me, Jaydon and Ethan

I try to take the boys for a walk every afternoon when it's not too cold.. Often when we go Jaydon goes on his black bike and I have Ethan in the sling.. Today we went in the pram and 'Padda' had to join us..!