Play Date with Drew

With such rainy, nasty weather outside today, we decided to have some indoor fun. This afternoon Jason and I took Drew and Rocco to one of their favorite play places. . . Kangaroo Jakes. There are jumping inflatables everywhere! The two had the time of their lives.

Drew is Rocco's first cousin, but he seems more like a brother. You could never find a smarter, kinder guy anywhere. We're so blessed to have him in our lives. He watches over our little man like a big brother; they always have the best time together.

Little Rocco's heart raced pretty much the entire time, running from one inflatable to another . . . all the while leading the way, looking behind him, and motioning to Drew "C'mon!"

And look at how big our little boy is getting. He climbed this big "mountain" all by himself several times. The little diaper peeping out the back gave us all a little laugh at how little he is and yet how big, too.

The boys played until almost nine o'clock. We headed home, and to Rocco's delight Drew spent the night. The next morning they were at it again. . . playing. While I tried to fix waffles they were on a surprise attack. They pelted me from the balcony with balls which eventually covered the entire kitchen floor. They thought this was hilarious. They might be the cutest, sweetest kids in the world, but don't be fooled. . . they are still boys!

Rocco Meets Daelyn

The entire family (mom, dad, nana, papaw, Tyler, Lauren, Jason, Rocco, and me) gathered at my parents' house tonight at 6:30 to meet the newest family member. Daelyn Anna was just 3 days old today, and it was her first visit after her homecoming from the hospital on Thursday. This was the first peep I saw of her, even before she was taken out of her carseat carrier.

I was the first to hold her since my mom, dad, and nana had already seen her and held her the day she was born. Rocco did really well with me showing her attention. Basically he just played with his trains. He loved and kissed on her but when asked to if he wanted to hold her he insisted, "No." He found a little stuffed giraffe and was pretending that it was talking to her. "Hey baby!" he would say. I asked him whose baby it was, to which he replied, "Rocco's baby." He likes to joke around that way. Eventually he told us it was "Ty's baby."

Rocco finally agreed to hold her.So here she is. My brother's baby's first debut. . .

Family Valentine's Day Photos

Our family of three. Twelve years of marriage and we're still the best looking couple anywhere! Love is in the air!

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day fell on a Saturday this year, and boy did we take advantage of me not having to work! Rocco and I spent the whole day together. After doing our morning snuggle, we played upstairs in the playroom. He insisted that we play and not eat. So our breakfast didn't come until about 11. Bacon, eggs, and pancakes! Yum! After playing some more, daddy came home from the farm. Of course we had to hide under the covers. Rocco squeals with delight any chance we have to play hide-and-seek. Before lunch, Jason surprised me with my Valentine's gift and we all exchanged cards.

All 3 of us laid down and relaxed during the early afternoon. That's one of my favorite things to do. We just all cuddle up in the bed. As Rocco was going to sleep, he laid on my chest. Every two minutes he would lift up his head, kiss me right on the lips, and just give the sweetest smile. This went on for a while. Can't tell you what it did to my heart. After Rocco's nap, we went outside on a wagon ride. The afternoon sunset was beautiful on the pond.

Jason fixed a wonderful steak dinner for the three of us. We snuggled up on the couch and watched a little of Sweet Home Alabama, played some more in the playroom, and finally had bath time. It was a great day. I was able to spend it with my two boys.

Gymnastics Class

My very agile, energetic two year old began tumbling class today. Life Gym is owned by one of Jason's best friends, so they let Rocco start classes before he actually turned three. It seems like Rocco has found his niche in this jumping, flipping, and tumbling class.

I knew ahead of time that parents were encouraged to watch from a distance while the teachers worked with the kids. I explained to Rocco that his nana and I would be upstairs watching while he would be a big boy and listen to his teacher. On the way to the class I tried to give him the pep talk in hopes that he would not cry when I had to leave his side. "It's for big boys and girls," I added. "Rocco no cry," he said, with a worried look on his face. He sat in his car seat in deep thought for a while. I wondered how well he would do.

When we arrived I quickly backed out of the scene and left him with his teacher and classmates. Every five minutes he would look to where Carolyn and I were and just wave to us. You could tell this was his assurance. Thankfully, he never cried, and as the class progressed he became more and more confident in working with the teachers. He was a great listener and did everything that was expected of him. The class lasted for almost one hour. Below is the quick photo outline of how his night went.

Ms. Rachel introduced the new student, Rocco. He was the only boy and the only student wearing a diaper. He was so cute doing his flips and cartwheels with his Huggies hanging out above his pants.

The class did some opening stretches and butterfly warm-ups.

Warm-ups were over and the group prepared to get down to business. The teachers immediately took up with Rocco; he enjoyed jumping in the air. I think this is the actual moment where he realized he was going to like this class.

Right after warm-ups the class divided into two groups. Rocco and his team worked with Ms. Erica on turning flips on the wedge mat.

Next, he patiently waited in the train line (hands on the girl's shoulders) for his turn at a hand stand.

Feet in position. . .

Yeah! Rocco accomplishes his first hand stand in gymnastics class!

And this part cracked me up the most. . . Rocco's first water break.

When we left class, we headed straight to a nearby restaurant for some supper. Little man had worked up an appetite. He had a lot of country fried steak w/ gravy and potatoes. When asked if he wanted to go back to class next week he replied, "Yes!" Looks like we have a little gymnast on our hands.

Catching Fish

The winter cold has kept us inside lately, but today the sun and long missed warm weather encouraged us to get out. Rocco and I went on the town today as daddy came back from his ski trip. We made some memories going around town, Puppy riding shotgun, and Rocco keeping his distance in the back seat. Today was the day we finally made it to our vet for Puppy's much needed shots. We also went to a kid's resale shop and bought Rocco a new fishing vest. All three of us had a great lunch from Chic fil A. Not sure who enjoyed it more. . . Puppy or Rocco.

This afternoon, after nap, Rocco put on his new vest and we headed down to the pond. We had to borrow Papa's old critters bucket, pole, and minnow trap. I'm sure he was smiling down from Heaven as he watched us enjoy being outside doing some of the same things he loved to do.

Rocco really had a great time, and he didn't want to leave. The sun was going down, and the chill of February was creeping in on us. His little hands were turning ice cold, so our fishing stay didn't last for too long.

We didn't really catch any fish, but Rocco insisted that we keep on because we had to "Catch Nemo!" Jason arrived back in town just in time to join us. Rocco kept saying, "Rocco catch Nemo. Daddy catch fish."

34 Months Old

Only two more months until we will have a 3 year old on our hands! Rocco's 2's have been very fun. We've certainly enjoyed him at this toddler stage. We are beginning, however, to see a little trouble. He often asks for gum or candy, which he calls "Blue green." If we ever tell him, "No," he squints his eyes and pooches his lips at us arguing, "Yes, yes!" He certainly tries to get his way and doesn't give up easily. If I eventually ignore his request, he'll insist, "Mommy! Mommy!" until I ask, "What is it Rocco?" "Blue green. Blue green."

The biggest thing I've noticed this month is that we have a little parrot. Rocco is learning so many new words at such a fast rate that I cannot keep count. When we talk, Rocco repeats the last few words of our every sentence. It's funny to hear him get his lingo mixed up. For example I'll say, "Yes you did." He'll joke back and contradict me with, "No did." Or if I say, "Pee Yew!" He'll reply with ,"No pee, no yew!"

Just this month we've been working with him on how to spell his name. He can tell you, "R, O, C," and that's about it. We're still trying to teach him that his name has 2 C's.

Potty training isn't going so well. He may tee tee one time a day at Nana Carolyn's house. He only tee tees for us when he wants candy. And when he does, it's only a few drops. His diaper will be full, but he thinks he deserves candy since he did tee tee.

Rocco is becoming a little more independent. At bath time, I've been working with him on undressing himself. He can usually get off his socks and pants but needs help with his shirt and diaper. Immediatly after he is naked, he'll go running down the hall patting his bootie. "Spank that bootie!" well say. This really gets him tickled.

He is definitely all boy. When a show like Angelina Ballerina comes on TV he will cry and pitch a fit until we turn it off. At Kangaroo Jakes jumping gym, he would go down every slide except the one that had the pictures of princesses on it. Even with coaxing he just refused. He is also laughing now at his burps and toots. In the bathtub he'll play with his toys and make funny splurting sounds with them just for laughs. The skunk book really cracks him up, too. "Pee yew!" He basically laughs all day long off and on at the silliest things. Throughout the day a phrase we'll say may hit him a certain way and he'll just laugh all over himself. So, we have to say that same phrase over and over because he keeps begging, "Again!"

If we ever go out to eat, he'll be sure to tell the restaurant goodbye. "Bye eat!" he says.

He has an ongoing joke with his granddaddy. If he falls asleep in his recliner (often he'll just pretend to be sleeping) Rocco will tip toe over to him and hit him on the leg with something. The other joke is that he won't sit in granddaddy's lap. Gary will beg, "Come sit on granddaddy's knee." To which Rocco replies, "No, nana's knee!"

During the day he still takes a nap. The naps last 2 - 3 hours. And of course he is still taking a bottle to fall asleep. The dentist would have a cow, but the doc doesn't read my blog so we're safe!

At night he is still in the middle of us. If we ask him which bed he wants to sleep in, Rocco's or Daddy/Mama's, he'll reply, "Daddy, Rocco, Mama's big bed." Obviously he thinks our bed is also his.

As far as toys go, the Trains are still his favorite. And even with over 30 trains, he can always tell you if one is missing. He also likes to blow bubbles on his own. He can pretty much do this now without my help, though occasionally he'll spill a lot of bubble solution on the floor when he's not paying attention. Play-doh is another favorite. He usually insists, "Mommy sit down! Mommy Rocco dee-uh (play) day-doh!"

He has learned how to take turns by playing BINGO. I'll pick a card, then he'll pick one. If we have the matching Thomas picture, we'll cover it with a ticket. This is one of his favorite games. That is other than hide-n-seek. He squeals with delight when we hide under the covers from daddy. He makes me think of a little spastic turtle trying to squeeze quickly into his shell. It's so funny watching him get antsy while daddy tries to find us. Often we'll hide when daddy isn't even at home. I'll remind him that daddy isn't at home, but he still insists, "Hide, daddy!"