Spring is in the Air

It's baseball season again, that's right.  It's all baseball, all the time around here.  2 practices a week and 2 games a week can make even the biggest mommy fan tired, and I'm not even playing.  Good thing it consumes 90% of our life, or we'd have nothing else to do.

Besides telling everyone that he's a big boy now and not a baby any more, I was surprised to find Brooks touting at our first game that the Baby Mascot had returned. In full force I might add, sporting the team colors and setting up post with all the mandatory gear.  And never failing to scream "Go Buh-Buh" from the sidelines. Boy will he be excited come September when he too gets to play.

Of course, Chance is cuter than ever.  He decided to keep his lucky number 11 to keep up his so far 100% batting average.  He's been working on sliding, which I hope to get a video of soon.  In Saturday's game he actually did make a successful slide in to second to save himself. 

And Ryan, he's assistant coaching again.  Seems to really be loving it this season.  So much that he's even been out secretly scouting the competition.  And now we see how little league in the Mound get's its competitive reputation!
Go Astros!

Happy Birthday Brooks

"I'm TWO" is what you hear a lot of lately around our house, as Brooks hap-hazardly holds up 2 fingers to show his new age.  Sometimes the 2 fingers make it up, sometimes it's a mix of 3 or 4 fingers twisting and turning.  Two.  I can't believe it.  Seems like yesterday I was holding my little ball of total joy in my arms.  With two, many of those hugs and lovey moments get greatly diminished.  I mean, who needs hugs when there's so much to see and do and tear apart!  I've even been allocated to the floor for bedtime book reading......"No, Brooks sit there" he tells me while pointing to the rocking chair, and then directing me to sit beside him on the floor.  My little man is growing up.

Brooks has this overwhelming love for animals.  So much so that we have to hug pictures of animals as we see them in books, bend down to kiss the little beetle crawling across the sidewalk, or blow kisses to the lizard that has escaped in to the house. 

I had to do something for this little animal lover on his birthday.  So we called in the farm animals and had them come to the house!  We invited all the neighborhood kids and a handful of Brooks's little people friends and had our very own petting zoo in the front yard. 

I had done some serious researching of farms, and found one that offered to bring quite a variety of animals.  And boy did they.  The trailer arrived and off jumped the miniature horse and her 2 week old foal mule.  

Then came the miniature cow......I didn't even know miniature cows (called Zebu) existed.  They do.

Then off jumped the pig, who immediately found a cool spot in the grass and was never heard from again. 

They say pigs are smart, and I can see why.  This little dude knew just how not to get any attention by hiding......he should have informed the poor chickens who were being chased around like crazy.

Or the bunnies who I am sure felt like the hour long petting zoo was NEVER GOING TO END.

I didn't really think through the whole goat thing.....my first problem was that I really thought there was going to be only 2 goats, but when an entire herd went flying off the back of the trailer in to my yard, I was soon regretting the fact that a.) we had the yard mowed BEFORE the party and b.) that I allowed the goats to be on my yard at all.....at least now we don't need mowers at all cause all the grass is practically gone!

My favorite was the alpaca, with his pointy teeth and aloof attitude.  He has to be a relative of the camel, and I was just waiting for some poor kid to get spit on or stepped on, but luckily it didn't happen.

So all in all, I hope this is one that the little man will remember, he sure seemed over the top happy, and is still talking about how "animals come to Brooks's house".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROOKS.  YOU ARE SUCH A BLESSING IN OUR LIVES. 

CRY BABY

First week back to school had some rough spots, but all in all we got off to a good start. 

Wednesday, however, Chance got off the bus with slouched shoulders and said it was the WORST DAY he's EVER had.

Nathan stole his nice pencil, and made him use his not so nice pencil.  And the teacher basically just said deal with it.  This was heartbreaking and I got to hear all about it.  As soon as the story was over, little man pipes in, looking straight at Chance in the most appropriate moment he could have possibly chosen and says CRY BABY.

This sets off a severe reaction, clearly hurts Chance's feelings.  Makes him get up from the couch and run to his room in tears, with the little toot chasing right behind chanting CRY BABY CRY BABY CRY BABY.

I'm sitting there, having to cover my mouth cause really it was just timed so right, and I'm still puzzled how Brooks knew to say it at the most appropriate time, and with the most appropriate dagger-in-the-side tone.  I'm puzzled how he knew that phrase at all.  Maybe Chance is getting a taste of his own medicine.  Needless to say, I cleared that laugh off my face, told Brooks he hurt Chance's feelings and consoled the poor boy.  I have a feeling this is just the beginning.  I need a parenting book and fast.

A LITTLE LOVE BACK FROM BIG BROTHER

We're working on finalizing Brooks' Book for AGE 1......the boy's about to be 2 here in the next couple of weeks.  I can't believe my baby is about to be 2.  How did that happen?  As part of the book, I asked Chance to write something to Brooks and this is what he did. 

LA LOO BUH-BUH

Schools out for summer.  And really who needs a break at all?  Apparently not baseball.  We just jumped right in with out first summer league game today.  In the 102 degree heat, but who's counting.  It is nice to see some color back on my skin though after 4 years of summering it in Switzerland.  I forgot how much I like being tan. 

Chance got a couple rocking hits, and as usual his trusty fans were in the stands: me and Brooks, while Ryan is helping to coach.  I think his fans go a little over board sometimes though: today Chance was playing first baseman and Brooks had a clear shot of him from the stands, screaming BUH-BUH!!!!!! BUH-BUH!!!  The first 10 yells got a look from Chance over the shoulder with a very patient but somewhat shy smile.  That reaction set Brooks to the LA LOO BUH-BUH mode, screaming it over and over until finally Chance looked back and said: SHHHHHHHH Brooks!  You are distracting me!

I mean the little guy just lives his life for his big BUH-BUH, following him every where, wanting everything he has, wanting to be just like him.  And what does he get?  He gets allocated to the cheering section.

But despite his yelling distractions, he did get his one moment of glory, when at the end of the game he ran up to Chance while he was in the team huddle.  Chance reached out with his arm, brought him in close and let him participate as if he was one of the team.  Now that is brotherly love, and I was watching it all from behind kicking myself that I didn't bring my video camera!

BAD, VERY BAD

Apparently Brooks has been really bad lately and I didn't even know it.  Good thing I stumbled upon this note to set me straight.

It's All About DADA

Brooks has become a Daddy's boy big time.  Yesterday we went to get Chance's haircut after school and upon coming home, we walked in the door, Brooks looked around the corner shouting "Dada" as he looked all over for him.  Poor guy, to his disappointment it was only 4:30.  And Daddy's aren't usually home at that time.  After searching high and low, he finds my phone and starts crying at it, "Dada, dada, dada".  He NEEDED to call his Daddy and fast.  I am desperately texting Ryan to call us ASAP......how do you tell a 14 month old, sorry you have to wait for your daddy to call you back.  Needless to say, there were tears until the phone rang.

Daddy comes home, and his excited boys (and wife) gather in the closet as he takes off his work clothes.  Brooks is clinging to his leg, Chance is jumping on his arm. 

Ryan sits on the ground and asks, "Brooks, who is your number one?"  Answer: DADA.  "Chance, who is your number one?" Answer: DADA.  "Honey, who is your number one?" How could I not say: DADA. 

Then the audacity.  Want to know what came next? He asks himself, "Daddy, who is your number one?: DADA".  Uh-huh. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROOKS

I can't believe it's been a whole year.  I remember sitting in church a long while back and the preacher said that life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes.  Seems like ever since we had kiddos, this is the case.  It feels like it was just yesterday we were in the Zurich "hotel" hospital drinking cappuccinos and eating massive amounts of croissants to recover from the traumatic birth of Brooks.  But oh it was worth it.  What can I say, this little man has completely changed our lives, brought us so much joy, let us be parents all over again.  We can't imagine a world without him, and feel so amazingly blessed that he is a part of our lives.

I didn't really plan anything big for the day, keeping it low key and at the pace of of the little man.  Mimi drove up for the big occasion and Nanny and Pappy came over to celebrate it as well.  Brooks had been toying with the idea of walking all week but decided to go ahead and hold off until the big day.  He took his first "official" steps on his actual birthday. 

He even walked outside to greet everyone as the arrived and show off his new moves.  Thank goodness for helium balloons to offer a feeling of security.

We did lots of things that Brooks likes to do........bubbles:

Water table:

Eating (birthday boys never let go of their balloons though):

Present unwrapping (with the help of big brother, whether you want it or not!):

Playing with your new toys:

And most importantly, getting completely drenched in cake.  Brooks wasn't so sure about it at first, but quickly warmed up to the fact that, oh this is why mommy can't stop eating this stuff.

And while the birthday boy would have liked to remain green all day, he had to go get dipped in the bath to round off the day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR VERY SPECIAL BOY!  We love you!

Aint She a Beaut?

Katherine made Brooks the most beautiful quilt when he was born, and I never wanted to use it cause it was just too beautiful for spit up.  So, she's finally found a permanent home.....it totally makes the room come alive.  And I can finally say that the room is done!  Thank you Katherine, we LOVE IT!

And Little Man thanks you too!

UH-HUH

The human brain is a piece of work, more like a masterpiece.  And it's amazing to watch it in action, somehow REPEATING things is a needed instinct to brain development.  Like, drop your special bear out of your bed, and watch mommy come back in the room 5 thousand times to pick it up off the floor here.  I think there's a case of the kettle calling the pot black here, cause you'd think I'd learn as well.  Today after the umpteen time of getting that damn bear so the never-sleeping child would fall asleep, I found him standing, leaning his chin against the bed rail, arm over it and pointing at Special Bear while the kid was half asleep. 

So after the one short sleepy time of the day, little man wants some of my yogurt.  He's standing in front of me as I am sitting on the floor watching the super high quality show The Bachelor Pad......good thing Brooks isn't old enough to comprehend the trash unfolding before him (and I'll also throw in there that Ryan probably will be jealous that I finished this week's episode without him).......Brooks is standing over me begging for yogurt.  At some level I felt like I was telling a dog to get out of my face.  DOWN BOY.  After each bite it was this satisfied UH-HUH.  UH-HUH.  Over and over. 

The Super Defender

Here they all are at the recent basketball game saying the YMCA creed about playing fair, staying true to themselves and others, treating your teammates and opponents nicely.....wondering if the half hand across the heart is any indication that the boy probably had a finger on his other hand crossed behind his back.

Basketball has definitely been a humorous adventure in 6 year olds playing sports.  It's a brilliant concept...they pair the kids together by colored wrist bands, so throughout the whole game Chance knows that he has to defend the player on the opposite team with the same color as he.  The first thing to click was definitely the Defense......this week we saw a little too much hands in the face and grabbing with a mean little grin.  Think we need to go over the meaning of that little creed they recite.

Chance's biggest strength is that he can stay on his man like a hawk.  So much so that the first couple games he didn't quite realize that you don't have to stay on your man when you are on OFFENSE.  That week's home lesson: during offense you need to try and get away from your defender.  The next week's game was full of Chance running in circles around all his other teammates (who were trying to score) to get away from his defender....a concept taken a little too literally.  For some reason this brought back sore memories of me on the 7th grade team.  I was "A" teamed solely for the fact that I was tall, and spent most games stationed under the posts saying in my head, "please don't throw the ball to me, please don't throw the ball to me".  Think I would have been better off running in circles around the court! 

So this week's game we worked on getting open instead of getting away, which brought drastic improvements.

I've gotta give him credit for getting out there and trying his best now that we are back state-side and access to so many sports is at our finger tips. 

And of course at every game and practice, Chance's most loyal fan is there cheering him on, wondering when he'll be old enough to play too.

Today's Conversations

I can't sing enough praises about Chance and the love he has for Brooks. 

He's always looking out for him, and again almost tackled Amy's 16 month old when he got too close to Brooks.  He likes to take an active role in whatever he can, so today I let him feed Brooks his milk.  He held him in his lap and held his sippy cup.  Midway thru Brooks lets out a cry for who knows why, but it happened and Chance responded: "Brooooooooks, can't you see I am trying to help you so that you'll grow up to be as great as I am?" 

Later at the kitchen table, Chance is eating his lunch, I am sitting there munching on bread I'm not supposed to, and Brooks is crawling around the front hallway.  Chance asks me, "Mom, have you noticed yet that Brooks is crawling?"  Uh, ya I noticed that about over a month ago? 

As we were sitting there Brooks holds up his hand to show me something he has found on the ground, something very small that is likely headed straight for where all things end with Brooks, the MOUTH.  Chance yells, "I'll get it", and runs and grabs the piece of lint out of Brooks's hand.  I mention something about Brooks being in to everything, and Chance responds, "Ya, he's a really good finder."

It's a New World

It's like the whole world has finally opened up for the little man this week.  Mobility has taken on a whole new meaning around here. I found him like this yesterday after nap time, on his knees and pulled up on the railing.  Guess it's time to raise that railing back up or before we know it, he'll be climbing over it. 

This week Brooks has finally learned to crawl.  We thought a man of his stature would never be able to bear such weight on his arms, but nature knows what it is doing.  And all this moving around has actually made him lose a pound. 

In addition to almost crawling, he's understanding more and more every day.  He was eating some melon through the little mesh bags and decided it would be a good idea to show it to Chance.  To his surprise (and clearly NOT to mine!) Chance takes the bag and pretends to starting eating it himself.  Brooks proceeds to scream and look straight at me, like mom, DO SOMETHING.  So I ask Chance to hand it back.  2 seconds later, guess what happens again? 

And then there's the UH-OH's that have started as well.  Drop something on the ground and watch mommy pick it up.  UH-OH, over and over.  Cause and effect.  How long will mommy play this game.

We were outside by the pool, one of his favorite places.  But of course he wants to be on the ground, picking up leaves and sticking them in to his mouth.  I've been working on telling him, JUST FOR LOOKING, NOT FOR EATING. And I know the kid knows what I am saying as he grabs the leaf, looks straight at me with a sideways look, and then slowly raises the leaf to his mouth, the whole while looking at me with those eyes like whatcha gonna do now? 

Our First Two Weeks' Adjustments

You know they say.....

And this AINT NO JOKE.

Chance pointed it out from the get-go:  Mom, EVERYTHING'S bigger.......the cars, our house, the stores, the people.  Yes, everything is bigger and I've gotta say, it's taking some adjustment. 

I swore up and down that after living in Switzerland, when we moved back we'd make a super smart eco friendly choice with cars.  And then the size of our state put a warp on our heads and we soon realized that how in the world would we be able to live without a third row of seats in our car.  So, we went a joined the Silver Volvo Club of Dallas instead: (pic coming soon....)

The second day here I dragged my jetlagged self over to the Kroger Super Store to do a little stocking up.  All I've gotta say is, really I don't care if the toilet paper is 2 ply or 3 ply or extra cushy soft, or pink or blue with flowers, or scented in every flavor you could imagine.  I just need some toilet paper, people.  I don't need so many choices.  And this was just the beginning of it.  An HOUR later, Brooks and I still hadn't made it through the whole store and Brooks was beginning to notice.  We were both saying to each other, where is our small user friendly, trusty Migros when we need it?  Where are the unfriendly checkers that make you bag your own groceries?  My jaw totally dropped when all I had to do was wheel my gigantic shopping cart up to the checker and HE took everything out of the cart for me, and then got really irritated when I tried to put the stuff in my own bags.  Needless to say, I didn't make it home with half of what I needed.  I think they found Brooks and I both curled up in the fetal position in the back of the store some hours later.

And then there was the chicken incident.  Several weeks ago at our girls night out in Zurich

Jen mentioned the last time she was at her mom's house, she made chicken stirfry with about 10 chicken breasts the size of turkey breasts, and for some reason this grossed us all out.  I think it's cause in Zurich I would buy 2 tiny breasts for about $12 and make this stretch for our whole meal.  So I proceed to buy a package of $4 organic chicken, thinking I bought 4 breasts.  I opened the package to find 10 breasts.  What in the world do I need 10 breasts for?  And 10 for $4?  This cost difference is off setting the 5,000 $100 things that we need right now.

And then there was the alarm man incident.  He rang the door bell and I waved in sign language that I needed to get the key to unlock the front door.  This signing behavior is not unusual in Zurich, where as my friend Liz put it, "so it just feels like a constant struggle of crap German meets crap English meets wtf are we saying to each other?!".  Somehow I momentarily forget that yes we are back in Texas.  And as soon as the man actually speaks to me, my eyes got huge as I hear a very Texas accent speaking to me.  I guess I was expecting some broken English from a German speaking man.

Despite such incidents, and my occasional bursts of "home"sickness for Zurich, we are really loving our new house and new neighborhood. 

Brooks loves having all of Chance's old toys out of storage. 

We've met lots of our neighbors and are enjoying our bigger space where Chance can finally be himself without worrying about waking his brother for a nap, or bothering the neighbors too early in the morning.  He reminded us of this the other morning at breakfast when he was being way too loud for us grouchy parents.  Ryan asked him to quiet down, and he quickly said........DAD, we live in our OWN house now, there's no one to bother.  So we've been spending our days swimming in the pool, enjoying the park down the street, playing with new neighbor kids and learning to ride the bike in our very quiet culdesac.

Tonight in very Texas fashion, we pulled out the new pool plates Mimi gave us, and grubbed out on REAL Texas BBQ.

I haven't had brisket in over a year.  Even Brooks liked his first taste of baked beans done up the REAL way.