It's Not About the Ball, It's About the Boy

We weren't going to do it.  We weren't going to sign him up for soccer.  We felt like the spring was a disaster, Eamon wasn't really interested in playing when we got to soccer.  We weren't going to do it, and then.... "I'm never going to ever get to play soccer again" was randomly heard on the way back from North Georgia.  Ed and I looked at each other with a "oh crap" look.  We knew that we had to sign him up and Ed again volunteered to coach.

There are SEVEN 3 year olds on the team.  Ed is doing a great job and is very patient.  

Eamon is very excited about soccer, talks about soccer, tells everyone he has a game, but still isn't too interested in playing when we get to the field.  

We have had 2 games so far and he did much better at the second.

For us, soccer is about Eamon.  It is HIS thing.  Every week, he gets to put on a special uniform and go play with special "soccer friends" and have Mommy, MamaMarie and Papa (and anyone else who comes to watch) devote their attention to watching HIM, cheering HIM on and being there for HIM.  

He has fun and it makes him feel special.

So Friday night, we'll pick the kids of from school, quickly feed them, get Eamon changed and lug all of our stuff to the soccer field to watch Eamon play (maybe soccer, maybe not) for an hour because we love him and it is his thing.

 SCORE!!!  Brady doesn't know yet that the ball goes in the goal, not the baby. 

And in a few years Brady will have his own "thing" too.

Bear Powder

At the end of August we were still struggling with Eamon being scared.  He said he was scared of bears.  So I put together a batch of "Bear Powder" to sprinkle around the outside of the house to keep the bears away. 
Recipe: 

A few cups of flour

A few sprinkles of random spices (for coloring)

 Eamon walked all around the house sprinkling the powder.  Then we went on a walk and he randomly sprinkled in our neighbors yard.

 I wish I could say that it worked, that he was no longer afraid of bears.  But I can't.

He has actually not been mentioning the bears lately, but is "frightinged" a lot.  

He doesn't like to be alone and won't even go to the bathroom by himself - come on, our house isn't that big!

It is driving Ed and I bonkers and is quite stressful on me on nights that Ed's at the station and I'm trying to get both of the boys to sleep.  Eamon now comes and lays on Brady's floor while I put Brady to sleep.  Then we argue with Eamon for about an hour about staying in his room and that he is fine.

I keep thinking to myself.... one day he won't want me to lay with him, to pat his back, to sing just one more song, tell him another story, ask for one more kiss, one more hug or to rub my tummy again.  A time will come that we walk in the house and he runs to his room and shuts his door and doesn't come out until dinner is ready.  I should just eat it up now, give in, lay with him, snuggle him.  But then I start thinking about that pile of laundry in the hall, the stack of dishes in the kitchen, the rice and broccoli underneath the kitchen table, lunches to be made, bottles to be washed..... 

10 Months Old

Happy Happy Happy

Brady continues to be a happy baby.  He can stand on his own for a few seconds, but isn't interested in taking any steps on his own.  He's vast!!!  Don't blink - Little Bro will be on the other side of the room in no time.  He is into EVERYTHING and EVERYTHING goes in his mouth!  He loves everything about Eamon and lights up whenever he sees Mommy, Daddy or Eamon.  He's no longer a lap baby - he wants to be down on the floor in the action.  He has found his voice and isn't afraid to use it.  He can wave goodbye and say "Ba Ba", but won't do it on command.  He can also clap, but won't do that on command either.  He also says "ma ma" and "da da" but not often in the right context.  He has 4 teeth, or "teethies" as Eamon says.  2 up top and 2 on the bottom - and they are sharp!!!

 Can I get this in my mouth before she gets to me?

The only halfway decent shot of the two of them together - Little Bro looks like he has something in his mouth and Big Bro is about to stick something in his!

Hot Summer Evenings

This week the weather has taken a turn towards fall and we are loving it.  This means we can play outside after school/work and on the weekends without fear of heat exhaustion or mosquito attacks.

That's not to say that we didn't play outside this summer, here is some proof - notice the red-faced, sweaty, dirty boy below.  But don't you just love that cute little blond hair, blue eyed cutie!

Little Bro - he LOVES his big brother.  

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, he saves the biggest smiles and the loudest belly laughs for Eamon!!  

Brady loves to have Eamon push his swing.  He laughs and laughs and laughs.  And Eamon enjoys pushing him.  It's so sweet.

Well, we never thought Brady would eat.  

He just wasn't too interested in baby food, but give him something he can pick up and he is all over it!

Early Bartering Skills: I'll trade you some waffle for some strawberries.

We were informed this morning that Brady and his friend, Baby Girl V, have been doing a little bartering.  Brady will take some of his waffle and put it on Baby Girl V's high chair and in return, Baby Girl V will give Brady some strawberries!

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

OK, no lions or tigers, but BEARS!!  oh my!

Eamon saw 2 bears while we were in the mountains.  The firs bear was in the woods right off of the road.  We saw him on the way back from the lake.

The second bear was right outside of the mountain house window.  Eamon and MamaMarie were watching cartoons early one morning and MM spotted something moving outside.
 It was bear #2.  It walked around the mountain house and tried to get in the back of Ed's truck, but was scared away.

Ever since we got back from the mountains Eamon has been scared.  He doesn't want to go anywhere in the house by himself.  The first week was pretty bad.  I was trying to do laundry and clean up the house and he was 2 feet behind me the entire day.  He has gotten a little better now, but still does not want to go in his room or to the bathroom by himself.

We have assured him that there are no bears in Alabama.

We are hoping that this fear goes away soon.

Mountain Trip 2 - Guess Family Vacay

We went back to North Georgia mid-August for a vacation with the Guess Family.

The vacation was filled with playing, swimming, games, puzzles and relaxing.

We saw 2 bears, lots of deer and turkeys.

Daddy and Eamon caught a few fish - none were big enough to eat though.

One afternoon, a nasty storm came through.  Yes that is hail!  The storm knocked out the power for a few hours, spoiling our dinner plans!

Brady enjoyed laying on this low ottoman.