Happy New Years! Reflections over the past year.

What a tremendous 2013!

Our Family at the beginning of the year

We started the year with a growing 18 month old Nathan , just learning to talk and stealing our hearts with his sweetness. He ran through the yard, bluebonnets, library and sprinklers and finally the ice at the end of the year. A lot of people ask us, "does he ever stop?" Our reply..." Just to sleep" :) He graduated from his paci, crib, high chair and then changed rooms with no trouble. In fact, he loved gaining more independence. Our house became more full of cars, trains, play tools and a workbench built by James. We started coloring more in circles with sidewalk chalk and crayons and built roads with play doh. Thomas the tank engine and Chuck and Chuggington became his favorite movies to watch; the boy loves his transportation! He learned his numbers, ABC's, and to count. His 2 year birthday came during a busy July when we got to meet our newest edition to the family, Liam. Liam weighed more than his brother and was born with tan skin and brown hair, favoring his Momma. As Nathan matures he looks more and more like his Dada, but with blonde hair and blue eyes. :-)

Watching these two little boys interact with each other has been an amazing experience. I don't think James or I expected them to have a love bond quite so fast. Liam grins from ear to ear watching his big brother Nate. Nathan took a few weeks to want to hold Liam but once he did, you could tell he was a proud big brother.  Nate started the typical sibling," he is touching me" or " he is looking at me" earlier than we anticipated. But those two are going to grow up to be best of friends. 

Having a baby in the house again was an adjustment for everyone. We were getting used to sleeping at night and, of course, that all changed. It took longer to move him into the room shared by his big brother than we thought. But, after 3 months, the boys share a room now. Liam started showing interest in our food very early on and would frequently refuse to be bottle fed. That led to our decision to start feeding him puréed foods at 4 months of age. He loves it and, most importantly, other people can feed him too. He has chugged through avocado, yellow squash, zucchini, peas, sweet potato, brown rice, apple, pear, banana and now broccoli. He eats two to three times a day, about 2 oz each time, and breast feeds 6 to 7 times. Hungry, growing little man! Thankfully we are now getting a full nights rest more days out of the week. Liam is teething like crazy but still only teeth buds can be seen. Nate got his teeth later, so we don't expect teeth any time soon. 

Our end of the year holidays were so much fun. Seeing Nathan trick or treat and celebrate Thanksgiving with family and especially opening presents (not always his!) on Christmas was a joy. He is understanding more and communicating so well. You can have long, often hilarious, conversations with him now. He remembers the most random things and getting a glimpse into what is running in that two year old brain is astounding. It sort of makes your head hurt! He still craves his independence, but admits sometimes to needing ,"a little help". He loves being "really useful, like Thomas" and helps out with all the chores and getting things for Momma during the day. 

We start 2014 knowing all the milestones we will cross with Liam and Nathan and having no clue how it's going to all work with two, but looking forward to the journey.