I'm Back...I Promise

I can't believe it has been three months since I last blogged. Where does the time go people? A LOT changes in 3 months...especially when you have a 9 month old...that's 1/3 of his life! Poor Andrew. As I pick up blogging again today going forward, I am also going to try to insert some blogs from the last 3 months in an attempt to fill in the gap in time so that Andrew doesn't have any future evidence of past neglect. Childline anyone? (family joke)

Clark is two going on three next month...and IS his stereotypical age in practically every way, shape, and form. He's not so cute when he is throwing a royal fit at my friend's house or when he is talking back to me in the exact same tone as I talk to him, but as long as he still looks cute to me in his footie pj's when I put him to bed at night, I feel like I am doing okay. Someday we will laugh at all of his antics just like we laugh at how Tanner kicked his mom in the shins and peed on the wheel of a car. Sometimes it's just hard to maintain that level of perspective, but I am going to try harder. I love his car noises. I love that when we go walking in the woods, he picks out the biggest and best looking leaves and gives them to me to hold for him. I love that some of his favorite words are "Mommy, LOOK!" and "Mom, guess what?!" I love that whenever I hurt myself or when Andrew falls, he says "Are you okay?" I love that he has started saying "Thanks Mom!" without being prompted. I love that he calls anyone and EVERYONE "friend". If he doesn't know your name, you automatically get dubbed as "friend". This age is such a mixed bag, and it is really easy to only focus on the bad things that need to change rather than the good things I want to encourage to stick around. I am going to be better.

Andrew is the get along guy. He lets Clark beat up on him (to a certain point) and he even sometimes will fight back which makes me laugh. I am sure this is all just a prelude to the many fights, good nature brotherly fights as well as full on brawls, that are sure to come in the years ahead. He has one tooth and melts me with every smile he flashes my way. He started crawling and is already pulling himself up. He coos in his crib (Clark never cooed), and he comes to find me when I leave the room. He is skinny, but tall. He is such a different kid than Clark, and before I had him people would tell me how different every kid is, and it always has made me nervous thinking about how much I would have to learn and grow in order to meet each child's needs and parent each one in the individual way they need. It is still daunting to think about, but it makes life way more fun and exciting this way. As my mom and sisters keep reminding me...parenthood is not for sissies.

As Tanner and I continue to try not to be sissies, we have also spent a lot of time reading, listening, and watching the political and economic happenings of each day. It is interesting yet oftentime tiresome and depressing. I am glad the election is almost here. I don't think I could have taken one more month of it. I have also started a twice a week preschool with my friend Jenna and her little boy Thatcher. We take turns each week teaching the boys on Tuesdays and Thursdays. So far, it has been good for me and good for Clark to do this. I feel like we are both learning and it is also nice having a break on the days when he goes to Jenna's house.

I have found a forest/park that I love to take a walk in with my boys in the evenings. Families of deer watch us from afar as we walk along the path. Fall is finally here and the colors of the leaves on the trees are so vibrant, they take your breath away. Our friends Dave and Jenn came and stayed with us last week and will be moving here next month. They are the best and truest kind of friends. Speaking of the best and truest kind of friends...my sisters are amazing. I wish I could tell you everything that my sister Melanie and her husband Spencer have been doing in support of Proposition 8 in California, but I just wouldn't be able to do it justice. I am in awe of their service and dedication to this important issue. Tricia has had the uncanny ability to be able to say exactly what I have needed and wanted to hear over the past few weeks in our conversations. She's got some kind of 6th sense...ESP maybe? ;-)

There is a lot we can be depressed about, but there is more that we can be grateful and happy about. I said to my friend today after venting about politics that I needed to "go to my happy place."

So here I am.