Winter Wonderland

Its March!  Winter should be over right?  Well friends, this is Ohio!  And, of course...its snowing!  (Let me just add that we recently got home from Wadsworth, where there were inches on the ground - to, wetness and no accumulation.  Typical!)

January was a month spent coming down from the December high!  It felt like it took weeks to get our lives and house organized and un-decorated!  And the 28 days of February were a whirlwind of same 'ole , same 'ole!

One of his favorite games!

Acting like Dad!

Its been a typical winter in Cincinnati...snow and warmth and everything in between!  Thus leading to some running noses and of course, with a new walker, scraped noses!  I feel like the boys have had some milestone accomplishments the past two months as well - but when I look at my list (yes, I have a list so I don't forget), its not as exciting as I thought!

But, we'll start with Jack!  We preschool shopped for Jack!  Yes, one must shop for a preschool.  (Not to mention fill out an application and pay an enrollment fee!  I'm surprised there's no essay required!)  Its taken me a year to adjust to the idea of sending Jack to school...it seems like something big kids do!  And, developmentally, I didn't this he was ready!  Well, the kid has learned a lot...numbers, songs, letters.  And, on our tour, is the size of the kindergartner's   So yes, I think its time for preschool!  His numbers need a little practice and his letters need even more!  With this decision of preschool in the near future, and trouble getting the night owl to bed earlier than 10:00, we occasionally drop a nap.  Some days are better than others, and some days he makes it through almost an entire movie before dosing off!  He's also learned to dress himself!  It is a great time saver in the mornings!  Of course, we occasionally realize he put his underwear on backwards or his head gets stuck in a shirt, but, this piece of independence is appreciated!

Puzzle King!

Weeeeeee!!!  We're heading for a treeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

All by myself!

See how fast I am =)! 

Trying to clean up the dirt!

As for Roman...his personality is developing by leaps and bounds and he is definitely a stinker!  He got his first pair of shoes, in part to losing one at the grocery and also his increasing steps!  He started clapping and playing peek-a-boo by covering his eyes with his hands.  He's cut more teeth, is repeating actions, and is trying to use silverware.  He is constantly following us around the house, thus leading him to take a tumble down the basement stairs when I was doing laundry (even though Jack and Daddy were playing in the family room).

Not so sure about the snow!  (And, unable to move!)

Time to start chores!

Why not sit in the Lego tub?
 (This also doesn't help the bumps on my head  because I fall out of this too!)

Up and Down!

Epic...

Disaster or success...still TBD.  Me and creativity, don't get along very well.  Not to mention craftiness.  But, one of the girls from work showed me a picture of a wreath she made, inspired from a wreath she saw on Etsy.  I too was inspired!  Sometimes, I really want to be a crafty, creative person.  I like to use the excuse that I have to kids and work full time.  Well, I popped on Etsy for a little Valentine's Day wreath inspiration.  "Sure, I can do this!"  I thought!  (And shouldn't it be cheaper if I make it myself instead of find a wreath at Target?)

Well, on Friday, I made the trip to Michael's in search of my supplies.  Inspired, I walked up and down the isles.  "What in the world am I doing in this store?" Was the question I silently asked myself.  Where is there someone to ask me if I'm finding what I'm looking for.  Although, I don't know what I'm looking for.  What am I supposed to say?  I want to make a Valentine's Day wreath but I have no clue what I'm doing.  Super!

Finally I found the supplies I'd use to make my wreath.  And upon check out, I realized, I probably could've found something at Target for a similar cost.  "This is going to be an experience," I thought to myself as I climbed in my car.

Well, there it is!  I need to take a wreath making class, that is for sure!  Especially, a ribbon tying class!  The "knot" was the best I could come up with.  I would've panned to a larger view of the door, but I really need to repaint it since birds like to make their home in my fall wreath!  The success/failure is will be determined to see if this holds up for the next month.  I must say, I'm pleased with my creation!  I can't wait to make my summer door decor!  Or, maybe I'll just hire the girl from work ;-)!

But, for now, it was epic!  Epic, in the look I received from Mark when I asked for wire cutters!  Not to mention the comment he made about making sure everything was put back exactly where I found it at his tool bench!  (Funny...I feel the same way about the rest of the house!)  Epic in the amount of time it took me to figure out how I was going to attach the flower.  Even more epic in the amount of time it took me to finagle   the burlap ribbon!  And definitely, an epic experience!  

Say What?

Jackarino has been the cause of much laughter this year!  He is definitely a character and says some of the funniest things!

Where's it come from?  Has become a new and frequent question!  His own version of "why" and frankly, I'm glad, "why" isn't yet a part of his vocabulary!  Where's it come from comes in many forms...a few of my favorites from the past few days:  "Where does pee come from?"; post sneeze and bless you, "Where's bless you's come from?"; "Where do eggs come from?".  You can only imagine a few of the responses I've had!  

His response when asked questions:  "Would you like milk?".  "Of course"!

Tonight at dinner he declared, "I don't love this".  "I'm sorry bud, this is whats for dinner.  If you eat some more then you may have something you do love."  "Umm...I think I love donuts."  "No kidding!"

Last night, after being sent back to bed a few times, came into our room as I was folding laundry.  He climbed into bed, pulled his blanket over him, and starting having a conversation.  Eventually we got to counting and singing the alphabet.  Thus leading him to sing a song about cars.  "Cars. Cars. Cars."  Mark asked if that was his song, and he said, "Yep, that's it"!

He says in the mornings, when I turn on the light, that the sun is too bright!

He says, "Don't hurt my sister", when Mark is tickling me.  And tonight, he said I was a Princess!  And he's a Racecar!

Oh Jackarino...where do you get these things from?!?!

New

The "halls" are now completely un-decked (thanks to a 60 degree January weekend), the toys have found their homes, and we're back to our normal routine!  Happy New Year!

December was once again, a whirlwind of a month!  Christmas parties, social events, every day life, and Christmas and New Years filled our calendar!

The boys were completely and utterly spoiled at Christmas!  The living room as a complete disaster - filled with wrapping paper and new toys and clothes!  We even took a few breaks to clean up, play with toys, and eat breakfast!  (Also in part so I could fight with the Drs office, trying to get Romy in for an emergency checkup for the worst sounding croup.  It failed.)  The major hit of a gift for Jack was a dragon.  Which him promptly named "Tookress" (i.e. "Toothless" from How to Train Your Dragon).  As for Romy's favorite gift...its hard to say, considering he plays with all of Jack's toys and his attention span is so short!

"Tookress"

Yummy wrapping paper!

A telescope!  Just like "Jake!'

Sure, I'll smile for you!

Christmas weekend took us to Nana and Papa's for lots of fun playing with different toys, cousins, and of course, more new things!

Merry Christmas!  (This cookie is so yummy!)

Madison & Romy playing

Dinner and a movie!

Sweet Charley!

New Years weekend took us to Chicago for a visit with college friends!  A long drive (in which Jack didn't sleep at all), a lot of patience (with fussy kids on the back seat, slow traffic, 4 kids), and lots of sharing, brought us a great weekend with great friends!

Sammie and Romy playing Princesses!

Post bath, pre bed, Mickey Mouse Club House!

And, with the beginning of a new year brings some new tricks for the little one!
Like walking!  He's started to stand on his own and take a few steps!  He still likes to throw himself forward in a "trust fall" if he's close enough, but he's getting stronger and sturdier!  And, new obsessions, like the pantry and the stairs.  We've discovered new ways of keeping him away from the stairs since our way of gating Jack off wasn't nearly good enough for the Romy-Monster!  (He's too smart for his own good!)  He has also started to despise diaper changes!  He'll continue to do a death roll until the diaper is off.  Even trying to distract him with a toy, only works sometimes!  And, we think he's starting to put on some weight!  Thanks PediaSure!

I want to get to those stairs!

Whoopsy!  The Cheerio container spilled!  Let me help clean up!

As for Jack, he's a 3 1/2 year old boy!  He loves rough housing with his Daddy, sometimes has a hard time sharing with his little brother, and is occasionally an awesome helper!  He has started going to the gym with me to play on Saturday mornings and helps put groceries in the cart after his donut has been demolished!  He drinks out of big boy cups (without lids) at the table.  

"Decorating" the Gingerbread House

Cookie decorating!

And of course, with a new year, brings new goals for myself!  This year, I'm not calling them resolutions, because lets face it, resolutions only resolve in quitting!  So, to hold myself accountable, perhaps I'll put them in writing!  In no particular order: 1.  Workout more; 2.  Spend more time enjoying my boys (prioritize the crumbs, stickiness, dust, and dishes vs racing, wrestling, and snuggling)!

My Boys!

Gobble Gobble

I sit in my bed, with "Doc McStuffins" on the TV, Jack in his jammies lying next time me, Roman crying in his bed (yes, another round of sleep training), and decide, its time to update the Brunsy blog!

November has been quite a busy month!  Jack and I took a trip to Denver to play with Ben!  And, Sarah!  And, Aunt Elizabeth!  (Bummer that Uncle JB was out of town.)  Sarah is such a sweet, well-mannered little girl!  And she sleeps through the boys yelling, squealing, and running in circles around her like a champ!

On the plane!

Lets race!

Smiley Sarah!

Attempt at a cousin pic!

We celebrated Roman's first birthday!

The most interested he was in his presents!  (He'll learn!)

And we celebrated Thanksgiving!  (And Christmas!)

Grammie & Pop!

Future Dr!

Future Engineer!

And, we decked the halls!  (And every other room on the 1st floor!)

Our decorator helper!

Our un-decorator helper!

ONE!

My oh my!  What a year its been!  I cannot believe my "Sugar Plum" is ONE!  Roman James, you are such a wonderful little boy who lights up my heart with your smile and squeals of delight!  You are strong-willed and I can tell how much you love your family!

CAKE!

At one, my little plum, you are cutting teeth, nearly weekly!  You love table food but get so excited about your bottle!  Which, you even feed to yourself!  You hate being changed, unless you know you're going into the bathtub.  Where, you are a wild man!  You have started playing "Peekaboo" in the curtains and you love your monkey animals.  You want nothing to do with your baby toys and love playing with cars and dinosaurs.  You are a crawling machine and get the biggest kick out of holding on to our hands and walking anywhere you can!  You show your displeasure by throwing yourself on your belly and screaming.  You come into the kitchen and forage for food when you're hungry!  Not to mention that you inevitably spit out your paci and start smacking your lips when you see food you want.

Playing Peekaboo

You throw your arms up when you want to be picked up and you still crave (and love) constant attention from anyone who will entertain you!  You're constantly smiling and your belly and feet are ticklish!  You love playing with Jack.

Sliding!

We've certainly had our rough patches this year but you've help teach me that I always have more patience and my heart cannot love you enough!  You, Roman James, complete our family!

Fall Fun

Fall is a little hectic around our house!  But, as crazy as it may be, we still find time to do all sorts of fun things!  October was a whirlwind month!  Between Mark's 33rd Birthday, a weekend trip to Columbus, falling leaves, pumpkin patch, football games, and Halloween!  One can only imagine that I snapped a few photos!

We love Birthday's!

Nana & Papa came to celebrate with us!

Jack!  Oh Jack...his imagination is becoming so fun!  He's constantly talking about something, or playing some imaginative game!  He has spent many nights wearing his "Super Jack" cape with his pajama's, and he likes playing in forts or pretending he's a pirate!  Among these fabulous moments have been some Trying Three's.  I am ready for this phase to pass!  He is king of the NO, not listening, whining, and talking back.  (Sorry for all the talking back I did as a kid, Mom!  It is amazingly aggravating!)  And, even more aggravating is that some days he listens to Mark instead of me.  Yes, I realize I have 15 more years of dealing with back-talk, selective hearing, and choosing which parent he listens too...I think we should be a vineyard!  But, even with the worst days, he's always in need of snuggles and a million hugs and kisses before bedtime!  

Arr Matey's!  Playing in the pirate ship at the pumpkin patch!

Checking out the tractor!  

Roman!  Oh, my sweet little Romy!  He is constantly showing off his 2 teeth!  Well, usually!  When we made a trip to Columbus, Dad mentioned that Roman is just "Happy to be here"!  It's true!  (Most of the time!)  He loves, loves, loves, to be with Jack.  Any attention from his big brother makes him happy!  (Even if Jack is stealing back a toy.)  He's learned to stand up with assistance, is a crawling machine, loves all table food, and is into all sorts of things he shouldn't be (trash cans, cords, outlets, all the TV electronic gadgets, the wine rack, and the stairs)!  He has learned the art of the high-five and is having a difficult time with teething!  In fact, I can count the number of times he's slept through the night in the past couple of months!

Good Morning Momma!  I'm standing!  Give me five!                   

Rearranging the pantry!

Enjoy the pictures of fun!

An attempt at a photo with Grammie and Pop!

I love the leaves!

Too cool for skool!

Annual family photo in the pumpkins!

Yo Ho!  Lets Go!  ("Jake")

Get me out of this stroller!  This Giraffe wants to find some leaves to munch on!

Pure happiness!...Wheel Barrel Races!