This picture is at the top of the blog right now but I realized that when I change those pictures I never actually put them in the blog. So, when I print out the books (which I will hopefully someday do) I won’t see some of my favorite pictures. So, here’s my current favorite. My guys playing in the playroom back in August.
Baby Bear is such a joy and talking more and more each day. I can’t even keep up with the words that he is saying because he’s adding them so fast. He’s putting 2 and 3 words together but just the basics, ex: “let me in, give me that, I love you,” etc.
Also, he’s started going #1 in the potty (8 times so far). I know I know, it’s nothing to celebrate because it could (and likely will) be another year or more before he’s actually potty trained but it was exciting to think that a time will exist when I’m not buying daytime diapers.
It’s so interesting to me that my boys have such different personalities and interests. Jack would just play for ever in his crib in the mornings, Bear immediately cries for Jay or I to come get him. Jack was very into action toys but not so much for cars and trucks. Bear LOVES cars and trucks and is actually obsessed with Chuck (the dump truck) books. We read the Chuck and Friends book about 8 or 10 times each day. And then again at bed time. He loves cars and trucks.
Bear also loves shoes and socks. He’s obsessed with putting on and taking off his own shoes. Now, Jack has always been very independent and I assumed it was because he was a first born. But Bear, my baby, is also very independent. He tries to put on his own pants, shoes and socks. I guess he knows the shirt is a lost cause because he doesn’t even try and there is no way he could get it on himself anyway. On a typical day while watching Jackson get dressed Bear will put a pair of Jack’s underwear on over his own clothes. It’s pretty funny.
Bear doesn’t like tv. If there is anything that Bear will watch it’s Caillou on Sprout. But he’ll only watch about 5 minutes before he’s off into something else.
Bear likes to snuggle. He loves to lay in our bed and cuddle but he’s not nearly as free with his hugs and kisses as Jackson is and was. He’s such a sweet little man but you have to work for it a little more than with Jack.
Bear is a pretty good eater. He of course loves pizza and mac and cheese but he also eats soup (which Jackson still won’t touch) and easily eats his veggies. Both boys are pretty easy eaters at this point and I LOVE that!
Bear is a great sleeper and I am well aware of what a blessing that is for us. Bear goes to bed around 6 or 6:30 and sleeps until 7 a.m. He also takes a nap from about 1 until about 3:30. He goes down very easily and sleeps through the night unless he is sick or teething.
Jackson loves his baby brother and is a fantastic big brother. Jack is so patient with Baron and really always has been. Bear on the other hand is a little jealous of any time I spend or affection that I give to Jack. If Jack is in my lap while I read Bear will try to push him away and actually hit him while screaming, “no, my mommy!” Of course we don’t put up with that and Bear will have to learn that being the baby does not give him exclusive mommy rights. Jack doesn’t get upset though.
It’s amazing (and a little sad) that my baby is already nearing 2 years old but it’s also so amazing and such a huge blessing to watch our boys grown into little people.
Bear loves to play and laugh. I know all kids are like that but Bear loves to do “ready, set, go loves” just like Jack did at this age. Bear will get as far away from us as possible and then yell ready, set, go! Then he runs as fast as he can to give Jay or I a huge hug. It’s my favorite game too. Jack thought it up when he was Bears age and they both bust out laughing when they get to us for the hug. It’s one of those super simple things that can take a bad mood and turn it into a great one. Dance parties in the kitchen are the same way. Both boys love it when we crank up the tunes in the kitchen and just dance like crazy. We started doing dance parties when Jay was traveling and by the end of the week the end of the days would just wear me out (after having not seen Jay in 4 days) so I did them to change my mood and lift my spirits. Now we do them when the boys are in a bad mood or fussy. It always puts smiles on their faces.
Alright, there’s Bear at 20 months!
FYI-I’m working on a blog post about Jack but there are SO many funny stories and quotes that it’s taking me forever. But I wanted to have a quick snapshot of Bear at such a sweet and fun age before the holidays make things super busy.
Jack is playing soccer for the first time this year. I was a little worried at first because most of his team has already played 3 seasons (indoor in the winter, summer soccer and fall) but he has done just fine. Here are some pictures:
Here’s Jack running the ball down the field for a goal.
Giving the coach a high five after his score.
Two of Jack’s biggest fans watching the game.
Coach C likes Jackson to defend the goal.
Bear was screaming “Jackson! Go Jackson!” during the game. Right in the middle Jackie ran off of the field and gave Bear a big hug. I love my sweet boys!
Bear was thrilled to have stolen another kiddos chair.
Jack is super into soccer and plays very well about half of the time and the other half forgets he’s even playing and just talks to the kids on the field. Either way it’s fun for all of us and I’m glad he’s enjoying it 100% of the time.
When we were in Boston driving around. . .
Jackson: Mom, how do you spell jab, like I jabbed someone?
Me: J-A-B
Jackson: J-A-B, J-A-B. Oh, thanks.
Me: Hey Jack, what does J-A-Y spell?
Jackson (smiling): the best dad in the whole wide world!
It was so cute and he had such a happy look on his face when he said it. Precious moment with my sweetie first born.
Several months ago we got a great deal on tickets to Boston. We were so excited and Jackson was beside himself to see his sweet cousins. Sadly it had been almost 10 months since we’d seen the Francis family.
The big day finally came and on the 22nd we flew to Boston.
And as a disclaimer the pictures are totally out of order. . .just go with it. . .
When we arrived we were all so excited to see our precious cousins. Lennon was his usual happy self!
And the kids were thrilled to have a tea party.
The next day Jenna and I piled our 4 plus Chloe (Mia’s BFF) in the minivan (yes, I am jealous!) and headed to New Hampshire.
We were off to Chloe’s families vacation home for the weekend. It was beautiful! The 3 story house sleeps 14 and was very comfortable for our 6!
Mia and Chloe wearing their togas before reading to the little boys.
Mia and Chloe were so sweet to the little guys.
Here the kids are having breakfast before heading to Jefferson NH to Santa’s Village (an awesome kid amusement park).
I’m pretty sure Shelby (who drove up Saturday evening) was the logical one who commented how not safe it was for the kids to all be launching themselves head first down the stairs. Bear loved it though. . .
Headed to Santa’s Village, the very first amusement park that the Adams boys have ever been to.
Jack and Lennon were so excited to be able to ride together with no adults!
I loved that Jack and Lennon were such buddies this visit!
Below the bigs are all dressed up in community helper costumes (at Sissy’s house).
Jack and Lennon buddied up quickly to watch a show while dinner was being prepared.
Poor little Bear wanted nothing else but to hang with the big boys. Both Jackson and Lennon looked at me and said no when I asked them to make room for Bear. Finally, Lennon said, FINE! and scooted over to make room for Bear. Bear was thrilled to be included on the “sicky” couch at the Francis house.
Sissy watches Anderson and Theo a few days a week and Bear just had no idea what to do with fussy Theo. He kept on trying to hug him though, unfortunately it did nothing to cheer up Theo.
Back to New Hampshire pictures, Mia and Chloe read to the boys each night.
Here is the amazing view that I woke up to.
Finally (after being lost and getting a ticket) we arrived at Santa’s Village!
There were so many fun activities for the kiddos!
Can you tell how happy these kids are to be having so much fun!?
Super fun Aunt Sissy decided we should decorate ginger bread cookies. Jackson loves super fun Aunt Sissy!
The boys were so proud of their creations!
Next we visited Santa. Bear was the only unhappy member of the group.
Time for fun rides!
Sweet Bear was happy just to point to his big br0ther.
Bear’s favorite was the carousel.
I love that baby Bear.
My two sweet boys in the little elf house.
Chloe and Mia in the elf house.
These kids were so much fun all day long!
This was one of our most fun days ever and it wasn’t even half way over!
Now onto the super awesome water park.
We spent a few hours at the water park before heading back to the rides.
The kids loved driving the old fashioned cars.
Santa’s Village gave each child a card to get stamped by each elf in the alphabet. The kids loved spotting the elves and even made up their own song, “Elf, elf, I see an elf on my shelf!” each time they saw one. The first kid to spot the elf would scream and the others would join in and run to the elf.
At the end of the day we took the kids to make candles. The kids had so much fun designing the wax for their candle.
Here the kids are playing with the reindeer.
Jack won the ring toss. . .by picking up all of the rings!
Here we are having lunch.
It was fun to see the squirrels playing in the strollers near the picnic area.
The sweet kiddos on a semi roller coaster.
Before decorating the ginger bread cookies.
Bear was so happy just to watch the big kids having fun.
The kids got to ride their favorite rides more than once.
Jack loved the swings.
Bear got to ride the rollar coaster once and LOVED it. Aunt Sissy said she would ride it with him the second time but there was a shift change and the new guy said Bear wasn’t tall enough. Poor Bear just stood there and watched the other kids.
Sissy rode with Lennon and Jack instead. I love this shot of Sis and Jack!
The kids loved making wishes.
Posing on the big bunny on the way out of the park
Sleepy boys.
Sweet Bear just watching the big boys play.
Group shots on the bunny.
My favorite group shot before leaving the park.
The view driving home was perfect!
Sweet little Bear fell asleep as soon as we got into the car.
Not a view we get in Plano. . .
Mia in her “mermaid” top, reading to the boys.
I love this sweet crazy girl so very much!!
Sunday night the kids got to watch 15 minutes of tv before dinner.
Jenna and Shelby (aka best hosts ever)served a delicious filet the night we arrived back into Stoneham. Jackson was a huge fan.
Bear loved hearing Uncle Shelby play the guitar.
Our New Hampshire home.
The view was amazing!
On our way back from NH we stopped at Cascade falls.
After climbing up the falls the kids went for a swim in the very chilly water.
Back to Boston (I know these pictures are terribly out of order!)-we went to the beach for a day.
Bear’s first time in the waves, he loved it!
Of course being a very shoe obsessed little guy he did not like that the other kids took off their shoes. He was wearing water shoes and wanted the other kids to be fully dressed as well.
Mia made a sign in the sand that said, “we are the Fradams family!”
On one of the days Sissy took care of the kids and I drove to Devens MA to visit the headquarters of Learning Express.
They are located in a beautiful area and the meeting was a lot of fun.
Sissy made homemade ice cream and the kids couldn’t have been happier!
She also made homemade apple sauce. . .
Mia wanted to paint the kids faces and Jackson requested that she make him into “snake man!”
Seriously?! Why did I not get Lennon’s beautiful hair!
Bear loved swinging on the big boy swings.
I couldn’t leave without a picture of Angel Francis who is already wearing his Halloween collar.
The Francis family live next door to the chief of police for their city. He was kind enough to take the kids on a super cool tour of the station and jail.
Another officer swore in the children as jr. deputy’s for the day.
Jack was very interested in the hand cuffs.
The kids had to sit at the top of the stairs while Chief Bongiorno showed them the heavy duty guns inside the locked case.
My boys both loved practicing with the training (wooden) guns.
Thanks Chief for such a fun morning!
Crazy fun Sissy had a special brunch for the kids with homemade ice cream (no sugar of course) on top of homemade waffles. It was a major hit!
And we can’t forget the volcano’s! Jackson loved all of the fun activities that the Francis kids do.
Right before we left Mia and Jackson turned into pirates. They were so funny and Jackson refused to let me take the face paint off before we got on the plane.
The airport scene was so sad. Mia and Jackson were hysterical crying-so hysterical that people were all looking at us. It was so sweet and so sad and you guessed it, so LOUD. These kids have great lungs. But really they were heartbroken to be separated and I can’t wait until we are just a few hours in the car away from each other. I love that the kids are so close and got along so well.
Thank you so much to the incredibly awesome Francis family for such a fun week! We love you so very much and made such special memories this week. We can’t wait for you to live in Texas!
