Life's Remote Control

Sometimes life feels like this.

Like I am standing still and everyone else is running past me. The boys are getting so big and growing so fast. I just want to push the pause button and keep them in this stage. When they like to come and give me a kiss in the middle of playing. When they wander through the house looking for me just to check if I am ok. When I get the occasional cuddle just because.

But they are growing up and I can't stop them, or even pause, so I am trying to enjoy every moment. The boys are learning to play with each other, trying to keep up with each other, and learning how to entertain themselves.

Jackson loves playing with Sam, though Sam doesn't always reciprocate. I love to watch Jackson mimic everything his big brother does: playing cars and wrestling with dad. They chase each other around and the new love is playing hide-and-seek, though we are still working on Jackson's hiding skills. They spend the mornings in the toy room playing together until one, or both, get hungry and come get me out of bed. Jack Jack loves to be right next to Sam. Not in the same vicinity, but touching. Always trying to get in on the action and confused when Sam is gathering everything up and running away to higher ground (the couch, the bed, the table).

In an attempt to keep up with Sam, Jackson has become a pro at crawling, mastering walking along furniture, beginning to balance on his own and took his first 3 steps tonight. He loved getting praised and attention so he kept on going. Sam is also trying to keep up with Jackson in the consumption area. Jackson has been a good eater from day one and Sam, well, not so much. If you can't tell merely by their size. But over the last couple of weeks, Sam's appetite has increased and as a result his attitude has improved. We had a few weeks (or months) of a grumpy, whinny, pouty Sam. I finally said he wasn't allowed in my house and I wanted my happy Sam back. Well, Happy Sam is back! He is eating tons and hopefully we can put some weight on him and help keep his pants up.

But those aren't all the new stunts. Jack Jack has also taken up opening cupboards and drawers, emptying cupboards and drawers, playing in the toilet, emptying anything out of any container (toys, diapers, bags, laundry, etc), clearing off the pantry shelves, pulling pillows off the couch, pulling the folded laundry off the couch, pulling books off the shelves. Do you get the destructive theme going on here? These are the times we want to fast forward through.

Other tricks that aren't followed by an exasperated sign and a clean up crew include waving, clicking his tongue, shrugging his shoulders, talking in high pitched squeals, learning the signs for more and all done. More is used a lot during meals. He loves reading books and it is probably one of few times he sits calmly on my lap. Sam has recently discovered the online games for Hot Wheels. It is his new obsession and he can often be found "working" on the computer with Dad. He has enjoyed building forts and making magic potions (cooking) with mom.

Until life's remote control can be found, we are trying to enjoy every minute.