The Little Two

As Daddy and I prepared to bring you, Little Nathan, into our home, our biggest concern was for how your big brother, Owen, would react. He had been the baby in the family for 2+ years, he loves attention and, well, his mannerisms have been likened to that of a bulldozer. I was honestly a little nervous about how you'd fare in this house that was already very full of boys and their very big personalities!

I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised and totally blessed, though, at how you, Dear Owen, have responded to your baby brother. From the very beginning, you have been so very sweet, gentle and kind with him. You were eager to hold him right away and you love nuzzling your head against his. Any time he cries, you holler, "Momma! Nathan is hungry!", and you want me to care for him immediately. You don't like to see him in distress. If he begins to fuss, you always tell him, "It's okay, Baby Brudder." You like to give him goodnight kisses.

I love watching you two together. It's so very precious. I'm sure it won't last forever. The rivalries and wrestling matches are bound to come. But, I'm sure as heck going to enjoy your sweetness for now!

Excuse me, Sir, but would you like some butter...

...with those rolls?

A Pain In My Neck

Look at those little angel faces! But, don't be fooled. Have you ever heard of the phrase "a pain in the neck?" Because you're it! Seriously. Well, not quite, but close. It's more like a pain in the lower back, but still - it's there and you're causing it!

My lower back has been killing me for the last several days and, even though I just had another birthday, I'm still "much too young to feel this darn old". But, finally it dawned on me. This isn't an age-induced ache. This is a lugging-around-heavy-boys ache. Thankfully, my Caleb, you are big enough now that you only need to be picked up on the rarest of occasions. It's getting better with you too, Owen. Although I do still have to get you in and out of the car. [You'd really prefer to do this yourself, but it takes about 8 minutes each time. Maddening!] But, Nathan? Good grief! You may just be the straw [Ha! A 14+ pound straw!] that will break my back! The first indicators were all the bruises popping up around my knees - from lugging you around in your car seat. The sore back, caused by heaving you and your seat in and out of the car, is further proof that you boys are a pain, quite literally!

And, might I add, worth every bit of it!

[Although I do think I'll be re-arranging the back seat so that I don't have to lift you quite so far, Nathan. My little Beef Cake!]