Brotherly Love

The Smith boys are doing great and growing before our eyes!  We can't believe how much they change, learn, and discover on a weekly basis.  They are the absolute joys of our lives, and we are constantly in amazement at how lucky we are to have such happy little ones.  I feel like I haven't done an update in awhile on their new "tricks," so here goes!

Brody has grown up SO fast this year.  Since the arrival of his little brother, his vocabulary has increased exponentially along with his memory.  The kid doesn't forget anything.  He knows all his colors and shapes and can count to ten and beyond (when he feels like it!)  He loves books, puzzles, play-doh, Mr. Potato Head, all moving vehicles, and Wonder Pets.  Brad likes to tell him stories about Portoise the Tortoise (which he makes up, ) and now we find Brody making up his own adventures for Portoise.  Brody continues to be super-active, so he benefits from playground time at school, and I have been so happy to find all the great rec. centers and fieldhouses that have indoor Toddler Time to let the wiggles out during the winter.  He is really starting to want to do things by himself, so we have to be careful to allow him time to be independent. He likes to do the "bunny-flip" to put on his coat and can now put on his boots, hat, and mittens all by himself!   If you ask him on any given day what he wants for lunch or dinner, he will say "sandwich cheese, " and for breakfast he will say "waffles."  He continues to be a great eater, although we need to work on the veggies! And, finally, he is really moving away from the parallel play so common with toddlers and is now starting to interact and play WITH his friends.  It's fun to hear him come home from school and tell me about making a tower with Bert or watch him run races with Enzo.  We changed his crib to a toddler bed a few weeks ago when he finally decided it was time to climb out.  Since then, naptime has quickly ended for the most part (unless we're driving,) but we do "rest" time in the afternoon where he reads quietly in his room by himself for an hour or so.  Although I was really worried about losing my sacred time while he slept, this rest time thing is working out pretty well and is definitely better than nothing!

Leyton turned five months a few weeks ago and is just brimming with happiness.  He has the biggest blue eyes I've ever seen, and he keeps them WIDE OPEN!  He is showing all signs of teething, but I have yet to actually see or feel one working it's way through.  He loves to chew on his hand and foot teethers or play in his exersaucer.  He smiles and squeals whenever he sees Brody coming his way, and it is really adorable!  The man loves to be naked, and the second we take off his socks he puts his little toes in his mouth.  He can also roll all over the place, and I usually find him on the wood floors just minutes after I set him down on the nice comfy blanket placed on the nice padded rug.  He doesn't seem to mind, though.  Even though I've complained numerous times about the lack of sleep I am still facing five months into this, I really do love to cuddle up with him in our bed.  Leyton is a boob man, that's all I can say.  He likes to nurse for little bits of time all night.  Yes, I could let him cry a little bit and try to rid him of this habit, but to be honest, I am just so thankful that I am able to nurse my baby this time around, and the way his little body curls into mine when we are lying together is so darn sweet I can't stand it.  I do love having him next to me.  So, when I finally make the decision to end this nightly affair, it's going to take some weaning on my part, too. :)  The whole Smith family is truly in love with this little man.