My boys...

I always post funny things that the boys do or say, but I realized I've never really posted about them. About who they are, their little personalities, and their likes/dislikes. So, here's my attempt at that (while Ryder cries at my side...).

Payton. He's a firey little guy! We almost named him Aiden but when I realized it meant "fire", we decided not to because of the strong will I pictured to go with that name. Well, Let's just say... we COULD have named him Aiden! ha! Part of it might be that he's 3, but he's sure set in his ways--as has been since he was old enough to know what they were! I'm learning that his love languages are touch and quality time. If I was able, he'd "let" me sit with him ALL DAY LONG on the couch, watching Max and Ruby (his all time favorite show) or reading the countless books he (and I) have memorized. 3 night ago he got to be a "big boy" and move back into Ryder's room. So far that's gone well, except that when Ryder wakes up, Payton wakes up! So, this morning's 6am wake up call wasn't exciting. How I long for the days that they'll sleep in! He's learning about whining and how it's not fun to be around. He spends time alone during the day taking care of his attitude. He's always welcome to be around us when he decides to be fun, but since whining isn't, he's gotta go take care of it alone. I think just having to be away from all the action for more than 30 seconds is enough for him. I think (hope!) we're getting a hold on it all! We're starting to see some fruit. :) He has a love-hate relationship with Ryder. There are times that they play SO well together and I can see how good of friends they're going to be. Then there are times that I'm afraid if I don't keep them separate, someone's gonna get hurt! Ryder fights back pretty well, which I'm sure he's picked up from watching Payton. ;) Thankfully though, they're usually best buds. Payton has a few friends his age here, one of which he adores. Caleb is his little buddy and they play so well together. It's funny because, when they do play, they usually don't say a WORD to each other but are both so content. Boys... They're so cute!

Payton recently decided that he doesn't really want to eat. He'll usually eat a bowl of cereal for breakfast, have a small snack, a moderate lunch, and then NO dinner. He takes one look at it and says "I don't like it!" to which we reply "great! Nothing till breakfast! Go play!". We decided not to push the issue with him. He'll eat when he's hungry. If he starts loosing weight, we'll make a different choice, but for now, he's fine. He still is pretty uneven in his stature. He has a gigantic head, a big belly, short torso, and short legs. He's 3 and still wearing 24mo-2T clothes! His last stats (at 3 years exactly) were 8% for his height, 7% for his weight, and 95% for his head. For those of you NOT in baby land, that means that, for his height, 92% of 3 year olds are taller than him, 93% weigh more, and only 5% have a bigger head. The pediatrician isn't worried because he's stayed in those same percentiles for 2 years.

Ryder. Ryder is probably one of the best babies ever. Other than being SUPER attached at my hip due to the fact that I'm home with him all day every day, he's a happy-go-lucky little dude. Not much phases him--except for maybe his brother sometimes... ;) He's a schedule kid for sure. He has a bottle at the same times every day, takes his same time nap every day, has dinner at the same time ever day, and goes to bed at the same time every day. I'm pretty sure that's why he's so happy all the time--he's feeling super fulfilled in his routine. He's an AMAZING sleeper. He goes to be at 6-6:30 every night and some mornings (if it's quiet) will sleep until 7-7:30! Plus, he takes a 2-3 hour nap during the day. God knew I needed an easy, even keeled child for this season of life. He's the perfect addition to our family and both Tom and I feel so blessed! He's walking all over the place now, and has even perfected his run! His vocab is growing every day too. His newest word is "pe-pa-bo" (peek-a-boo) and it's SO cute! He says "more, done, beba (his paci), hi, bye-bye, bubba, momma, dada, poop, owl, tickle (it sounds like tiki-tiki-tiki)...." I know there's more but I can't remember them all right now! Tom and I both think he's going to be the one that makes of laugh thru life. He just has that about him. Whether he's climbing all over his brothers or coming to give some loves, his little spirit is just so bright and cheery. Have I said before what an amazing baby he is!? Proportionately, he's WAY better than his brother too! He's pretty even at 40-60%'s for everything, with his weight being on the low side. I'm okay with that! He's easier to carry around, which he loves. :)

I'd love to go into detail about the other, but I just can't put too much info on here about him. He's still his same old talkative self, but, sadly, lost his singing talent. ;) He can't carry a tune in a bucket! It was cute while it lasted. After his last birthday, he has stepped into "attitude mode". If this is what teenage life is going to be like, I want out! lol. Not really... He's overall a good kid, but has his moments--as do you, I, and everyone else in this world! He's doing well in school and although he'd MUCH rather be talking/goofing around with his friends at school, he's really started applying himself to his learning. That could partly be because we had a "come to Jesus" meeting with him and told him that if his grades improved, we'd be more willing to allow him special privileges--more than what he has now. It could also be that he's really starting to not want to "let us down" (his words) and do what he said he would do. He's learning about different character traits and how it doesn't just affect him but that if affects the people around him when he chooses negative choices with his life. Tom and I are both so proud of the boy he's become, and the man he's becoming.