Family Pictures

My friend Maren took pictures for us up at Truman State University (Thanks Maren!). Robbie was crying and grumpy most of the time (I had to wake him up to go--I think we all know how well that usually goes over), but I still think we got some great shots. Here are some of my favorites:

Hiding under the bells

Walking with Mommy

We're still weirded out that he got blue eyes, but we are sure glad he did--they're beautiful!

Robbie could not keep his tongue in his mouth the entire session--I thought it was funny.

When Robbie first started walking and running, he wouldn't move his left arm--it just hung at his side. Well, Rob got to training immediately--teaching our one-year-old proper form. The result has been hilarious!!! Robbie now runs in slow motion, exaggerating each and every one of his moves. It's truly a must-see (and you get to see it as a still!)

The Boys

As you can tell from all of these entries, our boys are our life. These are just a few pictures I took this week; they'll give you a taste of what we live with. (By the way, Ty does own pants.)

For all the ways Robbie bullies and beats on Ty, he makes up for it in love and kindness. I "caught" Robbie trying to read Ty this library book; his intonations an exact mimic of mine (I had to laugh).

Who needs a basketball, when you can both RIDE the hoop? Robbie & Ty love to pretend they are riding a horse in our backyard.

We get daily use of our little orange slide. My mom and I picked it up at a garage sale our first day in Kirksville for only $2.50, and man is it a treasure! After watching all the crazy things Robbie does off the thing, Ty figured going down head first was no big deal. Mind you, he only did it once and his face was totally panicked.

Robbie "flying" off his slide "like Superman." He's tried flips (no worries, he always chickens out and ends up doing a somersault) and dives (the mattresses are usually his pretend water). Rob and I just watch and laugh. Yesterday he tried to jump off of his dresser a little over 4 feet high. I just hope his imagination doesn't completely run wild. When my mom was a little girl, she saw Peter Pan and just knew that if she tried extra hard, she could fly. She practiced every day and actually believed she was getting better. I can see it now--Robbie on steps, a car, a ladder . . . I won't go any higher; you get the picture. Needless to say, these two keep me on my toes.

Potty Trained!!!

It's official! Robbie's finally a big boy and wearing man-pants full-time. It makes me giddy for a million reasons, but the best part is how easy it was. I've been wishy-washy about it for months. I'd try it for a few hours, and when Robbie complained or wet his pants, I gave up for another month or so. My expert friends (those who successfully had kids in underwear) all told me the same thing: Wait until he is ready. Thanks guys! A few weeks ago I randomly asked Robbie if he had to go potty. I was shocked when he said yes and went to the bathroom. We went and got ice cream cones as a celebration, but even that didn't spark the interest I had hoped, at least not immediately. He refused to wear underwear again, and any time I asked if he had to go potty, he'd yell, "NO!" Well... I waited again. Patience.

A few days ago, I asked again if Robbie had to go potty. "Yes," he said, and went! From that point on, he has gone--and on his own, without reminders!!! No mistakes for two days now. Horray!