Brothers

 We've been having a lot of togetherness lately.  Including mommy (unintentionally) dressing the two little ones alike.  I was even brave enough to try them in the bath tub together.  They were both pretty pumped about it!  For the most part, the boys play really well together.  I'd say around 3-4 times a day we have an issue where someone (usually Sutton) lets me know that he is annoyed.  But the laughter more than makes up for it!

Say What?

Ever have a conversation with a three and half year old?  Ever have them repeating (or trying to) things they hear?  It's insanely funny and humiliating at the same time.

For instance, I picked Moses up from school this week and his teacher tells me that he's been singing the words "Party like a rock star" over and over.  I assured her that's all he knew and it was my fault because I sing it when Moses dances around.

This was followed the next week by telling the assistant director of the school (who is a UNC fan) of the school that "Tar keels" have poopy diapers and they stink.  Thank goodness she had a sense of humor about it.  He had gotten a time out from the same teacher for licking recently!

But perhaps my favorite as of late, was Moses take on taxes.  I was on the phone with my mom talking about possibly writing of a home office on our taxes.  Moses walked up and said, "Why don't we rip off Target."  Oh buddy, if only that were possible!

Early Christmas Present

You may have noticed I have not posted anything about potty training lately.  Let's be honest, it was awful!  It seemed like it was never going to work.  If one more person told me, "No kid starts Kindergarten in diapers!" I was going to scream!  I knew they were right, but it did not help!

Well, about two weeks after Thanksgiving, I was getting ready to put Moses down for a nap.  He ran away and crawled underneath an end table.  I pulled him out and told him it was time to go pee pee before his nap.  He looked at me and said, "I need to go poop."  And that's exactly what he did!  We did a huge celebration dance and made a huge deal.  We had been doing the Elf on a Shelf with our elf Cookie.  Cookie was so excited he flew to the North Pole during nap time and brought Moses back a special gift.  That made Moses so very happy.

Can you believe, that was pretty much it?  We've had a few accidents here and there as to be expected but from then on, he has been FULLY potty trained.  No pull ups or anything at night.  It's AWESOME!  I am so proud of my big boy!

Big Week for a Little Boy!

Just ten days into being nine months old, Sutton took his first steps!  He took a few tentative steps toward me yesterday while Moses was at school.  I was SO excited.  I honestly could not believe it!  Sutton was beside himself too.  Every time he practices he giggles and has the biggest grin on his face.  I am so glad that Brett works from home.  All I had to do was yell upstairs and he could come and join the fun for a while.

So far, he has put together 4 or 5 steps at the most and usually he can pull off two.  He does better when he is aiming for a person, but I have noticed him trying on his own as well.  Moses is getting kick out of this as too!  We tried to get a video and a picture but had no luck.  I am confident I will snag one this weekend though.

Sutton is also battling yet another cold.  I would like to change this diagnosis to Mommyitis though.  He was stuck to my side all day....literally!  He didn't go far from me at all.  For some reason I have convinced myself he has a dust allergy and I have spent a lot of time vacuuming out of the way places and wiping everything down.  Doesn't seem to slow down our little boy though!

Happy Nine Months Sutton!

 Oh my happy little man, how is that in three months you will be ONE?!  You are just magical when you smile, which is all.the.time.  You are just the happiest baby.  Everything seems to make you smile and laugh.  Can you see those top two teeth that have come in?  That makes it even better!

 We had your nine month well check this week and for the first time everything is perfect!  You have NO ear infections and no other issues!  You are weighing in at 18.9lbs and 28.25 inches long.  You had your flu booster and final Hep B vaccine.  You cried for a minute but managed to give the nurse your winning smile before she left.

 You and your brother are playing together more and more.  You love him and he loves you.  That means you have your differences!  You are teething so you bite and are in a hair pulling stage, and your brother some times isn't so gentle.  Luckily you both are forgiving.

It's amazing all you are doing these days.  You are crawling faster than I can walk.  If you hear a door open, you take off to try to go through it.  You are cruising really well and will let go and just stand alone for a few minutes.  I won't be surprised when you start trying to walk.  That will probably add more bumps to your head.  We joke that we need to buy you a helmet.

Eating has been a crazy struggle.  You are tired of baby food and frustrated with feeding yourself.  Dinner time is usually not our favorite.  For the most part, you love bananas the best.  Cheerios are also high on the list too.  You could eat them all day!  You are still getting formula and I've increased the amount you get.  It seems to work best when you get a small bottle before your afternoon nap.

Speaking of sleep, you are still an early riser.  As in, you hate to miss a sunrise.  Daddy and I are very ready for daylight savings!  That being said, you are still a good sleeper and go right down when you are put in your crib.

You are an angel baby!  The only time we have a disagreement is during diaper changes.  I have never seen a baby squirm like you do.  You don't seem sad or upset just ready to get up or to find something to play with.

Sutton Barker I love you so very much.  You make my heart melt when I see that sweet smile.  I pray for you constantly.  You are a precious gift!

2011 Superlatives

Most Awkward Sleeper

Moses after waiting up for mommy one night.

Best Special Delivery

Our sweet Sutton Bug.  I could not imagine a better baby.

Most Amazing Temporary Roommates

Jimmy and Meagan.  Moses loved having them the most!

Person Who Traveled the Furthest to Visit

Lindsay made a Raleigh pit stop from Houston before moving to Italy.  We are thankful for Skype!

Worst Summer Sickness EVER!

Mono blows!  Hoping for a much healthier new year!

Craziest Week of My Life

Chairing the consignment sale.  Can't believe we pulled it off!

Best Investment

Double jogging stroller.  Worth it!

Most Fun Rainy Day Activity

Loving his imagination at this age!

Happiest Wolfpacker

Hey boys, what's it like to loose a football game to UNC?  We dont' know!

So, the 2011 train is pulling out, and I am looking forward to see what 2012 has in store for us!

Christmas 2011

 What a special time of year!  Moses and Sutton were both very excited that Christmas had arrived.  Moses and Gaga spent the afternoon of Christmas Eve doing a few crafts, and enjoying each other.

 We had a big Christmas dinner with turkey and all the fixings and just took our time and enjoyed being together.  This little one was fast asleep before it was time to eat the big dinner, but woke up again because he just knew he was missing out on all the fun.

 We took that opportunity to take some Christmas photos by the tree with all the presents.

 Before he went to bed, Moses made Christmas cookies with mommy and Gaga.  Since it was Cookie's last night with us until next year, he was allowed to give him a hug.  He was SO excited about that.

 Here are Moses' Santa gifts and his stocking.

 And Sutton's...

Since the excitement level was at a all time high, I was pretty sure that sleeping would be a struggle.  I was right!  Moses woke up at 1:00am and Brett went and slept with him so that Christmas wouldn't be a cranky day.  I could barely sleep all night because I was sure that the kids were going to wake up any minute.  In fact, Sutton woke up around 4am and I gave him a bottle and put him back down.  Of course, there was no way I was going back to sleep, so I got a shower and got ready for the day.  Still, no kids!  By 6:45am, I went to the kitchen and started getting things ready for breakfast.  My parents were already up as well getting ready for the boys.  We didn't have to wait long!  Moses was up a little after 7am, which was perfect!  He was so excited about what Santa had brought!

 But to be honest, Sutton was the most excited!  He was squealing and going to all the toys and playing with them.  I was so happy that he was just eager as his brother.

 After Santa gifts, I cooked a big breakfast and the boys played with their new toys for awhile.  It was hard to tear them away.  By the time we finished eating, one little boy was very ready to tear into the big pile of presents that was still under the tree.

Two family members are now the proud owners of ipads!  Notice who is helping them tear into them?  I have a feeling there might be an app or two for him on these.

 We were all very spoiled with nice gifts this year, but of course my mom had great gag gifts.  Brett joked with her that he wanted a "Forever Lazy" for Christmas.  She went to get him one but they didn't have any in his size...so she got him a generic one.  He thinks it's great to have a knock off of an infomercial product!

As you can see, Moses doesn't need a.single.thing.ever.  We all had a great Christmas.  Especially our boys.  Moses spent a lot of December learning about the true meaning of Christmas.  I am so proud that he is learning about his Savior and that he continues a quest of knowledge about the power and love of Jesus.  God bless everyone!