He's 3!

Yeah, so apparently the Hiltpold family blog has turned into the twice a year birthday blog.  Whatev - lets just go with it.

So as you may have guessed - we have a birthday in the house...holla!  My baby is 3!  THREE I SAID!   Three means no more baby.  Three means a big boy bed.  Three means mommy is pondering where all the time went...

So, a few weeks ago, I went against my better judgement and personal preferences and enrolled you and your brother in a two day a week mother's day out "school" program.  Well, kind of.  Cade gets to go two days a week, but you only go one.  Kind of a calculated move on my part.  I didn't really want you in school at all, but I was pretty sure if Cade was going, you would be SURE you needed to go too.  But the truth is, being the second born, you have NEVER spent any time alone with me.  You two have always done EVERYTHING together.  Kinda cool, but everyone deserves some special Mommy time.  So Tuesday's are our days.  And I love Tuesdays.  But baby...YOU love Tuesdays more.  You start asking the night before...making sure you aren't going to school.  Making sure you are "staying home with Mommy".  And in the morning as we are getting ready, you will periodically make sure nothing has changed...that we are just taking Cade to school and then we will spend the day just you and me.  And we do.  And it's awesome.  We get errands done.  We have special treats (eh hem...starbucks pumpkin loaf).  We ride the carousel at the mall.  We live it up.  And you are so sweet and mostly agreeable and I just want to take in every minute with you.

One of the things I've grown to notice about you lately is your determination.  You started not wanting to go to school a few weeks ago.  Easy enough for me...I never really wanted you to go in the first place. ;).    Crap...wrong Mommy response.  I think I'm suppose to make you go or something.  OK, take 2.  So while it's OK to not go to school, I do actually believe that has to be a decision made by your Dad and me...not you.  Sorry dude.  So I explain and you cry and I eventually get you there and you muster up this brave determination that you're going to do what you have to do.  You head into the room - stone faced.  Turn back to me and run all out, tears in eyes, quivering chin...hug me around the neck and say "I love you Mommy", turn and run back into the room....NO TEARS.  Shoot - now I'm the one crying.  It's like you just decided and it was done.  Not easy.  Not what you would choose.  Just done.

And Friday night, you got your big boy bed.  After our experience with your brother, we knew it could be a hard transition from the crib to the bed, so we left it in your room so you could choose where you slept until your were comfortable.  Just as a reference point, it took Cade two weeks and much coaxing to transition to his bed.  But you - you determined little thing.  "Mommy, can I sleep in my big boy bed?"  You must have asked 5 times.  I of course said yes every time, knowing that you would, in the end, choose the crib.  Crap, I hate it when I'm wrong.  at bedtime you climbed right in.  didn't move a muscle all night.  I know.  I watched on the monitor until you fell asleep and then periodically throughout the night.  I could see in your eyes the slight feeling of "I'm not sure about this", but you made up your mind.  Done.  And the next night ...done.  You, my friend are determined.  Stubborn maybe - I guess my perspective depends on if you are being obedient or not.  But I love it.  And I love you.

Oh - and have I mentioned that you're hair is getting CURLIER?!??!?!  Oh my, I'm so in love with it.  You are cute as a bug with your chipped/crooked/adorable teeth, curly hair and killer smile.  I'm still just as smitten with you as ever.  And even though this is your last birthday blog as the baby of this family...remember - You will ALWAYS be my baby!!!

Happy birthday Colie - Pie!

Here we go again

So it's happened again.  Another year has passed and I find myself sitting at my computer thinking of you.  Your birth.  Your life.  All the things about you that are so amazing.  And maybe a couple that drive me crazy.  But mostly the amazing ones.

Cade-y Pie...as the clock strikes midnight tonight, your birthday officially begins.  Not that it really matters because we've been celebrating for two days straight...but in about 30 minutes I can no longer say I have a three year old son.  Nope...I have a 4 year old.  Wow.  Kind of blows me away.  4.  It's so...not a baby anymore.  Not even a toddler really.  4.  Really.  4.

So here we go...my annual list of the things I like MOST about you {currently} ;)

First I want you to know that your kind heart - and what appears to already be a heart for God is such a blessing to me.  When I explain to you hard to understand, biblically based concepts about why we should have a generous and compassionate heart, you seem to (mostly) get it and adjust your actions accordingly.  Of course we aren't 100% there, but it's amazing, really.  You seem to grasp things beyond your years and honestly, that's super helpful to me.  I'm not great at lowering expectations...I kind expect you to get it all right away and that's my fault.  But you really do get a lot.  and I love that.  And the fact that you told me you were willing to "stay 3" because I wanted you to stay my baby forever melts my heart.  You told me that you really wanted to turn 4, but you agreed to stay 3 for me.  If only I could make that reality...but then I would miss out on watching you turn into the man God has called you to be.  And I wouldn't dare miss that.

 I also super, super love that you are willing to try things...over and over...even though we already know you don't like them.  I call it the "pickles and tomato" theory.  Your brother (ie: your best friend) LOVES pickles and tomatoes.  Loves them.  You...not so much.  And I can totally deal with that as I have an aversion to tomatoes myself.  There's a great story to accompany that.  Ask YaYa.  I digress.  SO, the rule I've always had for you is that we have to try things...and if it goes in our mouth it doesn't come back out. You don't have to eat it again if you really don't like it, but we will try.  And we did.  Tomatoes.  Pickles. Negative on both.  I could easily recognize the strained look on your face as it went down.  I totally get it. But your try to put on a smile and say "mmm, good".  To which I reply "do you want more"?  But your response it a sweet "um...no thanks".  This is all very normal...cute, but expected.  What I didn't expect was all the subsequent times we would re-live this same encounter.  Because Cole likes them.  And for whatever reason, you feel like you should too.  So you try.  Again and again.  And every time, your eyes squint and the corners of your mouth turn down...and then your try to put on that smile.  Like you keep thinking 'maybe this time it will be better'.  Do you have any idea how awesome that is?  You didn't get that from me.  I'm a one and done kind girl.  If I don't like it the first time, I'm out.  But your way is so much better.  You just want to give it a fair shot...to make sure your not missing out on anything worthwhile.  It will server you well in life.  Pickles and tomatoes baby.

 I love that you are determined and capable.  When we talked about you going to school, I gave you a long list of things you needed to accomplish before you would be allowed to go.  I figured we had plenty of time, so I'd shoot for the stars.  Make your own bed (everyday), clean your room, feed the dog, and wipe your own bottom.  Yes, I actually wrote that.  So I showed you how to make your bed...the way mama like it.  And Mama likes neat ;).  It took a couple weeks, but man are you great at it.  And not only do you make your bed...you make it about 3 times a day.  When you wake up in the morning, before nap, and after nap.  Yes.  Before nap.  Because you totally buy into my thinking that a nicely made bed is more comfortable.  It is.  Don't let anyone tell your differently.  But the kicker is that I look at the monitor in the morning and you've already been up..clearly...because your bed is nicely made and you've slipped back in...neatly under the covers (as not to mess it up), where you wait quietly for me to come get you.  You make me laugh.  And you are totally MY kid.  You also made quick work of the other items on my "go to school" list.  Thanks for the bottom wiping too...way to help a mama out...but I'm pretty sure it's because you are a mini me.  You like order.  You like things clearly laid out.  I gave you set parameters and something to work towards.  When someone asks you to do something you get it done.  You got that from me too...just like your {dis}taste for tomatoes.

Cade, you are an amazing, energetic, enthusiastic, smart, talented, sweet, handsome boy.  My heart overflows with love for you.  Watching you (and your brother) grow is the biggest joy in my life.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE you so much...and more than that!
Mommy

Whoo-Hoo He's 2!

OK, chalk this one up to "bad Mommy".  I'll take it.  I have to own this one.  It's not that I didn't think of writing your birthday blog on your actual birthday.  Not that I didn't care.  Of course I did.  I just got sidetracked with all the ridiculous fun going on for 4 FULL DAYS in celebration of you.  And the 4 days after that....yeah, I got nothin'.  Just bad Mommy.

 

The two years of you have been delightful.  You were an exceptionally good one year old, so I'm expecting big things for age two!  You clearly have no idea that you are, in fact, two and not three like your brother.  You two are inseparable.  Whatever he does you MUST try and usually accomplish.  You're doing gymnastics together.  You play together.  You potty trained yourself a few months ago simply to not miss out on something big brother was doing.  You are unquestionably ecstatic about being Cade's {not so little} brother. 

 

 You are also quite possibly the best lover baby ever.  You give (and give and give and give) the best sweet kisses.  I also must confess that I may have never met anyone ever who gives better squeeze hugs.  You have this amazing way of snuggling right in so your body fits just perfectly against me.  I love those hugs.  Love.

 You have the sweetest heart.  Of course you have your moments...and they are some doozies...but you are quick to apologize.  You always share.  Maybe not the INSTANT you are asked, but always within a few seconds, you will happily give whatever toy you are playing with to Cade if he asks.  Almost to a fault.  I love that you love him.  I love that you share.  I love that you do it with a giving heart and a smile.  I just want you to know that you don't always HAVE to do whatever Cade asks...but you'll figure that out soon enough.  I mean - come on kid...you don't always need to give away your last cracker just because someone ate theirs first.  But it's sweet and it melts my heart.

 

 You were much slower to talk than your chatterbox brother, but you have the cutest sayings and inflections in your voice.  In the last 2-3 weeks you have started talking almost non-stop though.  One of your favorite topics is of course horses.  Specifically riding.  And it goes something like this..."Mommy.  Me.  Ride.  Mia.  Fun."  Except imagine it on repeat...again and again and again.  It's darling.  Exhausting.  But darling.

 And of course there is the spike.  Now that you finally have hair our general hairstyle of choice is the "spike".  It's been your nickname for a while.  It's fitting for your personality and we all enjoy it.  For a couple of days now you've been saying "mommy.  no spike"  which kind of breaks my heart.  I've grown exceptionally fond of the spike.  But that's OK.  You have curls now too and they are just as cute.  For now, we spike when you feel like it and we don't when you don't.  We'll see where it takes us.

 My sweet baby.  I love you to the moon and back.  You make my heart sing.  I so enjoy watching you make your way through life...following your brother, yet making your own path.  Part of my "pair" and still uniquely your own, perfect person.  You make me laugh out loud and smile on the inside.  You are all a momma could want and I wish you an amazing year of being TWO!

3???

How can it be?  I mean, really?  How is it possible that you, my sweet, perfect, first born son are 3?  I'm baffled.  The past 3 years have been filled with so much love, fun, adventure, laughter and chaos that I must have missed that fact that time was flying by so quickly.  

Sadly (this will totally annoy you one day), I'm one of those moms who likes to "relive" your birth every year...you know..the "I remember...blah, blah, blah...water breaking...blah, blah, blah...excruciating pain...blah, blah, blah...epidural...blah, blah, blah...talking on the phone while pushing...blah, blah, blah...perfect baby...you get the idea. 

Some day soon you'll roll your eyes at me for this, but give me this one will ya?  I loved that day.  LOVED.  You forever changed me for the better and watching you grow up is the most spectacular, bitter-sweet thing in the world.

I must admit that I have been doing a miserable job of keeping up this blog for you lately.  I'd love to say it's because we have so much going on, but lets be real.  Life is a lot.  All the time.  That's just how it is.  That's not an excuse to stop documenting it for you.  I want you (and your brother) to have a record of what was.  How it was.  How I felt about things...and you.  I was doing really well with the picture thing for a while, but that too has all but stopped.  I promise to get better.  I have to.  Because this birthday of yours has kinda thrown me for a loop.  This time last year we were getting on a plane and moving to London.  A YEAR!  How can that be?

So Cade...on this...your third birthday - here are just a few of the things I love about you:

You start every morning with a smile and sheer excitement.

You have a truly sweet spirit.

You are quick to say I'm sorry.

You adore your brother.

Your hair.

You have no volume control (ok, this one is a love/hate for me but it's really cute).

You still snuggle me.

You are mine.

And really, that's the most amazing part to me.  That God gave YOU to ME.  To love and teach and nurture.  It's the best job I've ever had.  The pay is lousy.  But the payback is immeasurable.  I love you.  I adore you.  I cherish you.  I just wanted you to know...

Happy birthday sweet boy.

Rant

I admit it.  It's true.  I rant a lot.  Usually about nothing - or everything.  Guess it depends on your viewpoint.  But today I have a good one.  Actually it totally sucks.

  What is this you ask?  Did I spill something?  Maybe the kids did it.  Oh no.  That would have been heaven compared to this...The abridged version of this story goes like this:  I started noticing that my once beautiful hardwood floors didn't seem quite right and so I did some research (via Google) on the only chemical cleaner I had ever used on them - Orange Glo.  What I found amazed and horrified me.  Seems that this ever popular floor "cleaner" has wreaked widespread havoc on hardwood floors for countless users.  Seems that it leaves some sort of wax build up that makes your floors look worse and worse over time and can only be removed by a  combination of water, ammonia and scrubbing on your hands and knees.  And I don't mean light scrubbing.  I mean grunting, sweating, blistered fingers scrubbing.  So far I've spend approximately 8 hours on the floor practicing my Cinderella act and I've cleaned  about 30 square feet.  That's somewhere in the vicinity of 3% of what I need to do.  Awesome.

 

In other less frustrating news - my boys are all fabulous and wonderful and perfect.  Ok, maybe not perfect, but pretty good.  We went to the stock show last month and had a great time seeing the animals and paying...I mean playing at the midway.

 

And just a few because I think they are darling and I hadn't pulled my camera out in a while.

Smarty Pants

I know they all do this...but I'm just so proud.

Cade - I'm in awe of you.  All moms feel this way about their kiddos I'm sure, but you amaze me with how smart you are.  How happy you are.  How perceptive.   How charming.  How stinkin' cute.  You melt my heart and I thank God EVERY DAY that I am lucky enough to be your mama.  Keep being you.  Don't ever let anyone or anything steal your joy.  It's who you are and it's what I love most about you.

A Very Merry

Christmas seemed crazier this year.  Not bad crazy.  Good crazy.  I think.  Give me some time to meditate on it...maybe over a massage.  I'll get back to you.

Regardless of the crazy level, It's definitely more fun with all the mini people in the family.  There are too many photo ops to catch them all, but I'm trying.  Christmas Eve, the E clan came over for the traditional Christmas Eve dinner of pizza followed by a smashing rendition of "The Night Before Christmas" by the head Papa himself.  Christmas morning was (of course) bacon sandwiches, presents and a little whining.  After naps we made our way over the the E house for lunch, flag football and more presents.  What a perfect day.