5

Today is the day, that my baby probably shouldn't be referred to as baby anymore.  Because, that baby, well, he's 5!  F.I.V.E.  I can't say that it seems like yesterday that we brought him home, because frankly, it seems like forever ago.  I cannot imagine my life without him in it.  (On the occasional weekend that we are "kid-less", I am lost!)

I also probably shouldn't refer to him as my baby anymore, since he tells us not to call him Jack.  Because, his name is "Batman".  He is a super-hero!  With super powers!  (Shhhh...don't tell anyone!)  Jack has grown leaps and bounds this year!  And not just in inches!  He is writing his name, knows his letters, and numbers (most of them).  He rides a scooter amazingly fast, loves to race his big wheel up and down the street, can throw and catch a frisbee, and has finally learned to pump his legs on a swing!  He loves his little brother and occasionally really seems to like him!  He helps with Rudy and is starting to do chores without us asking him to do them!  But he'd rather do chores when he gets paid to do them!  (His piggy-bank is pretty heavy!)  He has a fascination with bats and fish and loves "How to Train Your Dragon" and Spider-Man!

I cannot wait to see what this next year has in store for my Super-Hero!

Spring has Sprung

THANK GOODNESS!!!!

The big wheels are up from the basement and warm-weathered toys are down from the attic!  Even my lawn chair has gotten a little use!

My oh my, we are keeping our calendar full.  We've been making trips to Michigan, Columbus, and Cincinnati!  And of course we're keeping busy with "normal" life including trips to the baseball diamond whenever there is a home game!

Kensinger Grandkids on Easter Sunday!

Helping make blueberry muffins!

Jack has grown so much during his year at "school"!  He knows his alphabet and numbers and can write his name!  His following directions and listening has gotten better as well!  He's a creature of habit and asks for a ham sandwich and green grapes every day for lunch!  Cinnamon Toast Crunch and BBQ chips are favorites as well!  And any time I ask what he wants for dinner, its either tacos or wings!  He likes doing chores...he's learning the value of a quarter!  He and Mark got his first baseball glove and he's constantly asking to train!  He's recently discovered the joys of Marvel's Avengers and is a Spidey fan!

Batter up!

Going to his first non-cousin birthday party!  (He dressed himself...they both have red!)

Spiderman!

Roman is a stinker!  His two's have become less terrible although he still has moments of tantrums and his listening is less than desirable!  However, Jack's influence on him is insane!  The good and the bad!  His words are increasing even though he still loves his "bubbies" (i.e pacifier).  Yes, he named it.  He's finally napping during the allotted time at daycare and on the mornings he wakes up early, he's content sitting on the bathroom counter watching me get ready!  He's always willing to "help"...with laundry, garbage, vacuuming, or any other tasks we request!  He tries desperately to keep up with his big brother while playing outside but seems content to stop mid-way down the sidewalk to let Jack pass on his big-wheel or scooter!  We have finally dropped the bottle and PediaSure and he's discovered the joys of 'Strawberry & Cream' oatmeal!  He's still able to make a meal of yogurt and cheese and he loves any meal with rice!  (Although my floor does not!)

Helping Nana K water her flowers!

Morning games of Hide 'n Seek!

Learning to hoard "chooches"!

Sick and Tired...

Around here, we are sick and tired of winter!  There has been an insane amount of snow, and cold!  Its been too cold to go outside!  Not to mention, we're sick of being sick.  All of us have had our bouts of the stomach bugs, ear infections, colds, fevers, hospitals, antibiotics, nebulizer treatments, and over-the-counter medicine.

We haven't had a very exciting few months.  (See above.)  We were able to be healthy for a visit to Columbus in February with Elizabeth and the kids.  And thankfully the basement remains unfinished as its the perfect place for the boys to ride their big wheels and run around!  Here's hoping Spring is right around the corner!

Jack's first snowman!  (I need to work on my round body parts!)

Finger painting fun!

Helping clean the floor!

Valentine's Day cookies!  (Thank goodness it was in Grammie's kitchen!)

On "Romy-time"...adding sprinkles!

Valentine's Day party at school!  Yes, 2 year old's get excited for jammie day!

A riveting game of Hippos!

Sleep over on Dad's side of the bed!

On the cot, ready for our ambulance ride.

A little morphine will help anyone sleep

PLEASE, discharge us!  Someone is feeling much better!

Back home (after 5 days away)!

Big Boy!  He can scoot all by himself!

Crazy night in bed!  Yummy breakfast!

Joy to the World!

I know, I know, I say this nearly every month...but holy cow...December was a whirlwind!  The happenings were pretty typical of every December!  A lot of social gatherings, a lot of money being spent, a lot of love, and a whole lot of fun!  I think, that it'll be fun to share a few of the 170+ pictures that have been taken to document the month and all my fellow bloggy followers (all 6 of you!)!

Coach Bruns!

Go Cavaliers!

D IV State Champs!

Roman was admitted to the hospital for Croup/Bronchitis

The boys playing with the bed

Big boy giving himself his treatments!

Master Mark!  (finally!)

Sledding!

Trying to make snow balls!

Santa came to visit!

Yes, Santa, I've been a good boy!  (He did nod yes when he asked!)

He came back...and brought more stuff!

A Car!

Wow!  This is awesome!

2013 was a year full of changes and many blessings for our family!  I hope 2014 can top it!

Someone is TWO!

Happy (belated) Birthday to our baby!  Its hard to believe that 2 years ago, we spent the day in the hospital, me lying on my left side, and Daddy watching ESPN coverage of The Ohio State University hiring of Coach Urban Meyer.  Dad joked that we should change our name choice.  After a painful delivery, you arrived sweet as can be!  (Its funny...thinking back now...that's just how you are!  Atleast for now!  More on that later ;-)!!!!)

You, Roman James, are our little peanut!  You're a mooch who's always interested in what everyone else has on their plates, even when its the same thing you do!  You thankfully, became bored with crib climbing and have stopped!  I'm not in any hurry to get you in a big boy bed!  Although you can't seem to decide if you want to sit in your high chair or booster seat to eat.  (So we currently have both in the kitchen!)  You show great displeasure when getting into your car seat!  Your words are increasing and we're always surprised when you repeat a new word!  You love to read books, especially anything interactive or your truck book.  And you've grown to become a fan of Chuggington.  (We still have to work on taking turns between watching Dragons and the Chuggers!)  You are constantly stealing the remote control and my phone!  You like to play hide-and-seek with Dad & Jack and do a good job looking for your big brother, and keeping quiet when its your turn to hide!  You like to wrestle!  You're little 23lb body sure can pack a good punch with your butt-bombs and you lay on the floor and wait for your turn to be tickled, giggling the entire time!  You're still into a pushing phase, with toys!  The lawn mower and vacuum are your favorites.  You and Jack are constantly fighting over the Big Wheel.  And in true Terrible-Two's fashion, you are having tantrums when you don't get your way and you hit...hard!  But, when someone else is upset, you will bring them a toy to help them feel better!

You are such a lover!  You are lost without Jack and you run up, arms flapping for hugs when you see Nana, Papa, Grammie, Pop, and of course Mama and Dada!  You're such a sweet little boy with a kind heart!  You're starting to become your own person!  You're so much fun and we love you so very much!

Happy Birthday little boy!

The only constant...

Is change!  Its taken me a long time to learn this...and sometimes I'm in the denial stage (for a loooong time)!  But, life is full of change and we, in the Bruns household, are experiencing change in abundance these past few months!

Cavalier Orange!

I sat down to upload pictures to Shutterfly, and realized, I have 3 months worth of pictures!  Dear heavens, this is unacceptable!  What on earth could possibly be consuming all my free time?

Well, for starters, the boys aren't all that exciting anymore!  I mean, in the picture taking sense of it all!  They're not tiny baby's, changing every month.  And, we do a lot of the same things, every day!  But, on top of our typical end of summer days of gym, playing, lunch, napping, park, dinner, and baths...we finished up our October with our new normal!  After 3 months (2 more glorious than the 1st) of being a full time Mommy, I found a job.  Jack switched classrooms and is going to "school" every day!  They didn't have placement for Roman just yet, so he's going to an in-home sitter.  Both boys transitioned typically, and well!  The house is a little dirtier (maybe...no on is home to make it messy), laundry is being done less frequently, and after 3 weeks of working and our bellies adjusting to a later dinner time, we're branching out to dinners that take slightly longer than 15 minutes to prepare!

Jack is doing amazing!  I never thought I'd say that about a 4 year old!  But this daycare facility has been so wonderful for him.  I think the structure has been what we've been lacking!  He's grown up SO much over the past few months!  He's a better listener, helper, sharer, and big brother!  He's learning letters, numbers, how to write (supposedly, I have yet to get him to write his name for me), and playing with a classroom full of 4 year olds!

Roman is, well, nearly 2!  He is slowly learning more words and certainly is showing his frustration when his nonverbal's aren't being understood or when he doesn't get what he wants.  He loves his big brother more than anything in the world!  He's learned to blow bubbles in the bath tub and has found some books that he loves to read.  He also has discovered the joys of Disney - and although he doesn't sit in a daze like Jack, he will sit on my lap while I enjoy my morning coffee!  He's starting to prefer a big boy cup over a sippy during meals (which means I put in an ounce at a time)!  He every so gracefully climbs out of his crib on occasion and gives you the sweetest little grin when he makes his appearance!

I don't know if it was being home with the boys and watching their daily interactions, or if because they weren't around other children, that they learned how to play with one another.  Learned to take turns.  And share!  (Sometimes...I should say, sometimes!)  I really am amazed at how much they seem to finally love each other!  If Jack is upset, Roman will bring him a toy to make him feel better.  If Roman falls down, Jack will help him up and give him a hug.  Just today, we were in the car wash, where Romy was "fussing" and I looked in the backseat to see Jack holding Rome's hand and saying "shh, shh, it's okay Romes"!  Melt my heart!

School picture day!  (Gotta love the Vicks and drool on Rome!)

No big trees in our new yard!  But, atleast we got some giggles and crunching under our feet!

Annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch!

The Knight and The Dragon!

New Beginnings

My oh my, its been awhile since I've blogged!  And, since I'm feeling less than creative, perhaps, I'll simply show some photos of what we've been up to!  

We sold our house in less than 24 hours and packed up 5 years of our lives in a few short weeks!  Or, rather 3 days, thanks Mom!  We loaded a Uhaul (and various trips with full loads to Columbus and Coldwater), drove 2 hours north and unloaded our belongings into Mike & Donna's house and a storage facility!

Last photo on the porch of 7020 Copperglow Ct (the night we left)

The boys on the truck!

We celebrated Jack's 4th Birthday...3 times!  Due to the timing of the move, we postponed the birthday party we were going to have.  Well, since he's 4 now, he knew that his birthday was coming up and I didn't have the heart to continue pushing it back.  So, we celebrated, after football, on July 31st!  Romy was in bed, but Jack ate the icing off his cake and opened some presents!

Yeah!  I'm 4!

Birthday #2 at Grammie and Pop's!  Hooray for this awesome scooter!

Joint birthday party with Avery!  Its so much fun being the same age!

We burnt through a bunch of ride tickets in less than an hour at Coldwater Community Picnic!  But, look at those smiles!

More more!

I'm gonna getchya!

Papa's "Monster Truck"!

We went to Michigan to visit the Garza's!

The boys playing with their new "Planes" toys!  

Best Buds!

Lining up cars!

Sweet Sarah and Jack "swinging'!

Jack started school!  PRESCHOOL!  He was allowed to pick out his new backpack (and no, there is no Lightning McQueen plastered on it) and also his own folder for his school papers!  He is SO excited to go to school 3 days a week and last week chowed down his lunch and had his backpack on 40 minutes before we needed to leave the house!

First day of school!

And, we spent the last official weekend of summer at Lake Sullivan with the whole Bruns gang!  The sky was a little cloudy and the water a little murky, but we had a great time!

I sure hope we go fast!!!!

My fearless fishy!

Mom & Romy enjoying the sunset cruise!

Dad and Jack cruisin'