It's a New Year and Life Goes On....

Beezer -- We can't wrap our heads around the fact that our little monkey, Mr. B, is going to be a year old. He still amazes us everyday. His personality has really emerged over the past few months. Likes: crawling/army crawling everywhere and anywhere he can, cruising the furniture, putting anything in his mouth, putting fingers in outlets, climbing stairs, eating the remote control, you name it. Dislikes: being pulled away from any of the above mentioned, peas, and being restrained for any reason. We truly thought that Avery was our 'Curious George', but have quickly realized that Brendan definitely fits the bill. He wants to know about everything and having three children, we can definitely see the difference in him. We never had to truthfully 'child-proof' things in our home. Yeah, we locked up the solvents, cleaners, and bad stuff..but we've been pretty lacks on the outlets and keeping the floor absolutely spotless. Hey, with children it is absolutely impossible..unless you are a total freak and mop/sweep your floor 5 times a day. I don't have time for that. If there is a small piece of paper, he'll find it. If there is a morsel of food that has missed the quick sweep of the morning, he's got it. I guess we'll never have to worry about him going hungry (ha-ha...most of you will find humor in that comment). I guess all of his mischief evens out the total wonderful disposition that this child has. God definitely waited to send us this angel. He is truly a gift from God for many reasons. I mean, sometimes I find that we have to pinch ourselves when we sit back and think about how great of a baby he has been. Doesn't cry much, sleeps really good, naps, eats well, and just has an overall pleasant disposistion. Well, I guess when you put it up next to Thing 2, anything less than that would be an improvement (we love Avery to pieces, she is just a little 'trying' on the nervous system). But it has been a wonderful year and we have enjoyed every moment. Even though he is our third child, all of the 'firsts' have been just as special as they were with Owen and Avery. He is now saying 'done' and waving bye-bye or night-night, and he loves to say 'uh-oh!" We are looking forward to each day, as it brings a little glimpse into the little person he is becoming.

Avery Mei -- Miss Avery. She is still a ball of energy. She still loves her ballet slippers, pink crocs (fleece ones, for the winter), tutu's, and any dress of any kind. Avery loves a good pair of tights, preferably striped or flowered, definitely pink. Pink anything, actually. Looking back, I now think that all of the pink clothing that she received as a newborn was just a small glimpse into the Pepto-Bismol world that we'd be submerged in with her taste in color..clothes, shoes, tights, you name it. I got her a dress from Old Navy for the spring and if she hasn't worn that thing everyday, in the house, for the past two weeks. She just loves dresses and loves to dance around..just like her favorite Princess Giselle (for those of you that have seen Enchanted). Good thing Mommy can sort of carry a tune, it helps when Avery requests one of Giselle's songs. Then there are the daily makeovers and the seventeen layers of lipgloss she likes to apply to her 'victims', er I mean, 'customers'. I secretly pray that she gets past the lipgloss phase because the mere thought of cake/frosting flavored/scented lipgloss makes me gag. But she is truly a Daddy's Girl and has Daddy wrapped around her little finger. Although with all the begging, pleading, and eyelash batting, she hasn't quite convinced him that she needs a kitty cat for a pet that she can name "Hello Kitty." Daddy won't budge on that one and I really don't blame him. Kids make a big enough mess! As for school, she has really grown so far this year. All the worries about her not caring about knowing the alphabet have been swept aside. She is constantly asking about letters and even has taken on a desire to write her own name. She is quite good at coloring and loves to draw, just like her big brother. Avery also loves to make people laugh. She has nearly made milk, or some other liquid substance, come out of Owen's nose on several occasions. Her latest thing, walking around like an old lady, all hunched over, making 'old lady sounds' and shaking her imaginary cane. It is quite hilarious, actually and we wonder if we have a future Gilda Radner or Molly Shannon, on our hands here. Whomever she becomes or whatever she decides to do, she'll make some guy really happy someday. She's tough, adventurous, strong-willed, and funny. She may be a lot to handle now, but she'll be able to hold her own later!

Owen -- Last, but certainly never least, Owen. He is such a sweet, caring little boy. The other day, I was making his lunch and I asked him what kind of sandwich he wanted in his lunch. His reply.."Whatever is easier for you, Mommy." I stopped what I was doing and asked him again and he came over to me, put his hand on my back and said, "Mommy, whatever is easier for you is fine." God, I love that child! But seriously, he is smart, sensitive, and curious. He loves to make people happy and hurts deeply when people are sad. Owen reminds me a lot of someone else that I love very, very much...he is just like his Daddy. Always thinking of other's first, even if it is at his expense. Just like his Daddy, there isn't one selfish bone in that kids' body. Not one. He will make a wonderful husband and father someday.

As for school, all is well (above and beyond) in that department. He is being challenged enough to stay focused and that is a relief to us. We are very fortunate that he has such wonderful teachers. He is also learning other wonderful things at school from his friends, like trying to sneak his Star Wars trading cards into his coat pocket to play with on the bus. A big no-no. We especially love his friends that have older siblings. It's amazing what comes out of their mouths sometimes. Owen has really had a great time in first grade and the adjustment went fairly smoothly. I do notice that he definitely needs some 'down time' when he gets home, as he immediately makes a beeline to the basement to play quietly with his Legos. Remember when life was simple like that??

The big event of this year so far is that Owen lost the first of his two front teeth. I swear if that thing wasn't hanging on by a thread. Even though I am a Nurse in the operating room, teeth give me the willies. I HATE loose teeth. Maybe it is because I am exposed to teeth in their absolute worst state (i.e. rotten, abscess, etc.), when the patients come in to get them pulled in the O.R. Maybe it is because my parents took me to a dentist in Farmington that didn't use Novocaine when he did my fillings. I was 5 when I got my first one, the dentist chair was a harvest gold color, and there was an oil painting hanging on the wall directly in front of the chair. It was a 'fall scene' and I was already practicing meditation way before I knew what it was. Anyway, I just don't like teeth. So after two nights of major tooth wiggling, Daddy helped pull it out. He looks like such a big boy, now. I still don't know where all of the time with him has gone. It truly seems like it wasn't so long ago that it was just Owen and the two of us. It's important to take every opportunity to enjoy a snuggle when he requests it, or even to sit on my lap. Those moments are fleeting and frankly, might look a little weird when he is 16. The inevitable part of raising a family....seeing your kids grow up and become independant. A proud moment because you see that you've done some things right, but at the same time sad because you realize all of the time that has gone by.