Pages

Thursday, September 27, 2018

August-2.5 years old


Two and a half. What a crazy fun age. Where to even begin describing our August, whose personality has always been bigger than life. 
For starters, I truly think he’s on a mission to grow as fast as he can. After we lopped off all of his baby curls, he really morphed from baby to little boy. He still has the blondest hair which hasn’t darkened yet like his brother’s did around this age. It also has some waviness to it, which is totally unexpected, coming from two parents with stick straight hair. His eyes are prettiest blueish green—his Anna-täti eyes, we call them—his aunt who has eyes that match his so closely. He still has his baby belly, which is the last remaining trace of my boy who is growing up. He’s funny, just so, so funny. Always sputtering off some crazy sentence that you had no idea he knew how to say. His word explosion is one of my very favorite things. It’s wild to look back at his 2 year update where he was only speaking in 2 or 3 word phrases, which really wasn't long ago at all. I don’t know quite when the non-stop 50 word sentences began, but suddenly, we’re here without even realizing it. I bought a book to try to write down all of the hysterical things he runs around saying, but I just can’t write them down fast enough. He is constantly, constantly making us laugh. 

He tells us things are “fantastic” and starts most of his sentences with, “Actually…”, but capes are still tapes, Augie is still Audie, “can you” is still “kem you” and jail is still “gail”. Some of my very favorite toddler-isms. I told him he was the cutest in the whole world, and he told me, “Well that’s nice to hear!”

He’s still an early riser (6am early) and starts his days by calling for us in his crib, which, for the record, he’s still very much sleeping in. As fearless as he is, he’s never tried to climb out of it. I have no confidence that he’d stay in a big boy bed just yet. We jumped the gun with Oskar and I’m still recovering from the months and months of sleep regression we went through as a result. So, we’re rocking the crib for as long as we can this time around. 

He’s still our good eater, and his favorite foods are olives and pickles, which he’ll tell you very matter-of-factly when asked. He’ll also put down a plate of broccoli and loves meatballs. The kid just loves to eat.  Which, I must say, is much easier than a kid who very much does NOT. 

August’s love of Batman and all superheroes is unparalleled. Everything eventually turns into a game of good-guy/bad-guy/Batman. He knows every single character by name and by super power, which has been quite a learning curve for me. He shoots pretend poison at you and runs around yelling, "Snip!", and I'm pretty sure I'm called Catwoman more than I am mama. He also loves LEGOs, Play-Doh, playing school, and PJ Masks, or even better, chasing you around the house or cul-de-sac with a sword. He loves family hugs (and always calls them exactly that), and whenever anybody else is hugging, he runs to join them. He also loves to tell us, “I love my whooooooooooole family”, which is basically all I need to melt into a puddle and give him anything he wants, forever and ever.

School drop-offs are still teary and he never wants me to go, but he always reports he had a good day when I pick him up. His latest trick is to pretend to faint when I walk into his classroom at the end of the day, apparently from the surprise of seeing me again. 

If you remember, August bashed his teeth into Oskar’s head and suffered some pretty bad trauma to his mouth a few months ago. Two of his upper teeth got pushed up into his gums and back toward the roof of his mouth. It was 50/50 on what was going to happen, and whether he’d lose them or not, but we’re so thankful to report that both are descending on their own, and both are still white. We got an update from the pediatric dentist today, who thinks it’ll be a few more months before making their way all the way back down, but the progress is very good so far.  Much better than we could have hoped. He loves to tell the story in one big sentence on how, “I bumped my mouth on Oskar’s head and I cried and I had to go to the doctor and say ‘aaaah’ and my teeth are up to my gums but they’re getting better now okay?”

Oh, this age. I want to bottle it up forever. His little raspy voice, his chubby little arms he wraps around me, and his endless facial expressions, including my favorite sarcastic smirk. He can be a typical toddler and as fiery as they come, but overall, he’s so happy-go-lucky, narrating his whole life and anything he sees. 
We did a little Q & A with him to see his answers, a few of which are here for me to remember.

What’s your name? Audie.
How old are you? Two.
What’s your favorite color? Ye-wo (pretty sure he said this to make his brother mad, because if anybody knows Oskar, yellow is alllllll his. And also, he shot him a look right after answering).
What do you want to be when you grow up? A Batman
Who’s your best friend? Leo and Dominic (from school) and my family.
What do you like to play? Um, all toys. Batman and Superman and Joker.
What is your favorite animal? A lion.

Happy 2 and a half years, August. We just love to love you. Now, please slow down time, because I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready for you to turn 3.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Best Children's Books for Fall

Hi, friends! Hope your week is off to a great start! We're on round 2 of strep throat for August and a doozy of a round 1 for Oskar over here, which started off at 4:00am this morning. Back-to-school season and slightly cooler temperatures to blame, but man, oh man. I forgot how much I hate this cold and flu season. We've been healthy all summer long but have clearly pushed our luck, because I feel like we're doomed for the next handful of months. Blech.

So, along with all of this, we're slowly coming to the realization that fall is coming, whether we summer-lovers like it or not. We're jotting down weekend hayrides and apple picking on our calendars. We do love a good theme and I wanted to share some of our favorite fall books we have in our library for our boys, or ones lined up in our queue to add to our traditional October 1st basket we give our little monsters with all the fall things included. These give me all the comfy cozy feels, and I love cuddling up to read them together. Halloween pajamas a plus.

Hope you love them as much as we do, and if you have any favorites not listed here, please share!  I love illustrations just as much as the story itself, all all of these display so nicely and bring the fall inside. Off to read a few of these with my little sicky, who needs all the cuddles this morning. 








Tuesday, September 4, 2018

August Amazon Favorites


Reversible Vegan Leather Tote: This is a thing of beauty, right here. It fits my work laptop perfectly, and I’ll be using it as my personal item on my flight to Germany next week. It’s completely reversible and has a wristlet on the inside that I’ll be using for my Passport, credit cards, and cash. I absolutely love this carryall, especially for $25.

Minimalistic Diamond Bar Earrings: These are so dainty and pretty and can be worn with anything. My favorite part is that they’re delicate enough that I can sleep with them in and they don’t bother me. 

Cast Iron Skillet: A little bit of a random find here, but this cast iron skillet has changed the way we cook. We make the BEST cuts of meat with this by pan searing, then placing the whole skillet into the oven to finish cooking through. Here’s a link with lots of dinner ideas to try, all made with a cast iron skillet.

Silk Pillow Case: This was a birthday present for my sister, but I’m seriously coveting this myself. Have you heard of all of the benefits a silk pillow case brings? They help prevent wrinkles, dry skin, and frizzled hair, and aid in deeper, more restorative sleep. Just look at the reviews on this. Yes please.

Rosehip Oil: This was a Prime Day purchase for me, but I’m back to sing its praises. My skin is transforming through the use of this. Google search the benefits of Rosehip Oil, and I guarantee you'll be sold, too. My skin has never looked better, truly.

Lucky Basel Booties: I found these at TJ Maxx and just loved them. Perfect stacked heel, perfect fall shade. I bought them and brought them home with me, and then found them way cheaper on Amazon. For some reason, the size 8.5 is marked crazily low right now, so if that’s your size, run!

Rose Gold Carry On: I got this for my trip to Germany, and just love the rose gold color, 4 spinning wheels, zippered expander, and the 3-1-1 bag included for liquids. This meets the required size for a carry-on, so I’ll be bringing this on board with me.

Drape Front Cozy Cardigan: Comfy, cozy, goodness. I’m a cardigan hoarder and added this one to my collection. It drapes perfectly over a cami, and looks great accessorized with a gold drop necklace. 

Furiously Happy: This book came highly recommended, so I scooped it up for my plane ride. Can’t wait for some quiet, uninterrupted reading. 

Leave In Conditioner: This has changed my hair so much for the better. It smooths and creates healthy looking locks without weighing them down. Perfect for fine hair that tangles easily.

Adidas Slip On Sneakers: These were a splurge purchase for me. They feel like you’re walking on clouds, and slip on and off so easily. I see myself living in these for the rest of summer and fall.
 
01 09 10