Brooks

Brooksie is just the cutest! He entertains himself so well and loves playing with his cars! He refuses to go poop in the toilet. In fact, he refuses to go poop at all and I have to force him to go poop in his diaper after he leaves skid marks in his underwear. Gross! He is great at going potty in the toilet, however, but wants you to "watch" him every time he goes. His speech is getting better and he rarely stutters now. If he does, he almost always catches it and then starts to laugh. He continues to switch his s's with f's and says "fark," "fotty," and "fopcorn". He also switches his d's with b's and says "bigusting" and "bifferent." I love how he says "'best-tiss" for breakfast. His speech therapist is working with him on his pronunciation and I think he will figure it out soon. He is pretty easy going when he feels comfortable. He begs and begs to go to the park and when we finally go he begs to go home. He seems to have some anxiety when we are out of the home. He refuses to go to nursery and if he does, it is because Russ is with him and he pretty much sits on Russ' lap the entire time and doesn't participate at all. I can't blame the kid though, most of his life we have dealt with COVID and have been locked up at home so he doesn't know any better. Hallie also had some anxiety and fears at this age and quickly grew out of it to her now bubbly/confident self so hopefully Brooks will do the same. Brooks is a daddy's boy through and through. He picks Russ every time over me. He would rather snuggle Russ and wants Russ to put him to bed every night. He is obsessed with Russ' truck and wants to ride in it every time he has a chance. He loves his Grandpas. I love how he calls my dad "Stanwee" instead of Grandpa. Hallie and him are frenemies. They fight and fight pretty much all day but Brooks is the first to forgive and say "love you" (with an emphasis on the sound a y makes). I love how he says Hallie's name, "Aah-yee." Russ continues to get told how much Brooks looks like him. I love his chill, go-with-the-flow attitude. He can be very timid in front of unfamiliar people but also can be loud and silly when he is comfortable. He has the best belly laugh. He is my favorite 3 year old around and I am so lucky to be his mama! 

I love his "bad guy" costume

He still naps about 1.5-2 hours a day. It is awesome! He uses a giant stuffed animal hedgehog for his pillow despite him having a totally normal pillow. 

He dresses himself almost everyday and his clothes are always on backwards. Man he is cute though!

He carries his cars every where he goes. This time he had so many cars that it only made sense to use his mouth to help carry some. Haha!

He sits next to me while I rock Stockton to sleep. He often gets rocked to sleep as well. When I stood up to put Stockton in his crib, Brooks slowly fell over into this position. 

Ice cream with Grandpa Joe

He decided to make lunch on his own. He made a PB and honey sandwich, which is what he usually eats, with his plastic knife.  

He carries a blanket around with him all throughout the house. It's like a security blanket for him. He drags it every where dragging every item on the floor he passes a long with it. Ha!

Gallery Wall Update

Welp it is time to update our gallery wall with some new family pictures. Here is a snapshot of the gallery wall before I replace it. 

Kids

I sure am obsessed with my kiddos! They have my whole heart and I just love them to pieces. The other day I was rocking Stockton to sleep and just got the feeling that I am exactly where I am meant to be. I love that they relax in my arms, that they feel safe with me. There isn't a thing I wouldn't do for them. I hope they know just how loved they are.

Sleeping Stockton and sleeping Brooks. They are the cutest boys around!

Brooks and Stockton already have the cutest relationship. Stockton acts interested in all the things Brooks is doing and Brooks asks for me to put Stockton down so he can play with him. 

Brooks is my favorite side kick. Always right by my side even while rocking Stockton to sleep. 

It was time for Stockton to eat and so I pulled over to feed him. Brooks was asleep. 

I often rock Brooks to sleep while rocking baby to sleep as well. Killing two birds with one stone! I sure love my boys!

Hallie loves Stockton and is the cutest with him. She is so helpful and does anything to keep Stockton happy!

Hallie

Hallie is just the best! I'm so glad she is my oldest. She is reliable and trustworthy. Yes, her and Brooks fight all day long but she really is such a good kid. She amazes me on the daily! I am confident that there isn't another 7 year old quite like her. She is so smart!! Russ and I lucked out in the parent department with her. We really haven't had to teach her much because she just learns it on her own. She learned how to write her own name on her own (at 3 years old), she learned math by playing with her toy cash register (at like 4) and she just gets and understands things so easily. She is naturally talented at everything she does. She is learning to regulate her emotions a little better as of late and she doesn't seem quite as dramatic either. We are signing her up for junior jazz basketball for the winter and she is pretty excited about it. She has moved her mattress to the floor to sleep on. Why she doesn't sleep on her mattress on her bed is beyond me. She loves creating pieces of art with her markers. She is rocking school and I am already impressed at the Spanish she has learned in just a month of school! I love how she makes friends so easily and that I don't have to worry about her not having anyone to play with at recess. She requests home lunch (PB and honey) almost every day instead of eating at school. I see a lot of me in her as far as her personality goes. She is my favorite girl and I couldn't love her any more!

I was rocking the baby to sleep and she started to get into this position. I can't believe how flexible she is!

She's the most beautiful little girl. I love everything about her perfect face. She is just pure perfection!

Disneyland 2

Monday through Wednesday they spent their days alternating between Disneyland and California Adventures. 

It turns out Hallie is a little thrill seeker and loved all of the "big kid" rides and roller-coasters. She went on the Incredicoaster 12 times! Her favorite rides along with the Incredicoaster were Space Mountain, Autopia, Splash Mountain, Matterhorn, Stars Wars, Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Cars ride. She had her moments of tears, probably due to the lack of sleep with staying up late and waking up early, but Russ said it was really fun to watch her love it so much!

This was one of the first rides they did, Space Mountain. After a few rides there was no more holding hands and closing eyes, she was ready for it all and loving it!

How many times she had rode on the Incredicoaster at that time!

Her little peace sign is the cutest thing with her little fingers!

Hallie "driving" the Cars car. Russ scared of her driving. Ha! She often reminded Russ that "this was the first time she has ever driven a car so she isn't very good at it." Haha!

There first and only real food the entire time at Disneyland. They just snacked and ate junk food the whole time I guess. 

On their way home! They had the best time!!