Category / Family

I can’t think about it too hard, or I start to remember that we’re technically “halfway”. NINE. How?!

It’s been a big year for you, with lots of changes that have pushed you to grow, and yet a lot of hitting your stride going into these “bigger boy” years. In the past twelve months, you’ve changed grades, changed soccer teams, and up next will change elementary schools. Your world continues to expand and become more complex, but we’re always proud to see how thoughtfully you seem to navigate it all.

We were fortunate to make another annual trek to Naples to spend a week with Papa and Mimi early in the year. Among the highlights of daily swims, warm temps, and a couple outings to parks and kid attractions, it was also your first time driving the golf cart and we began a tradition of you, me, and Dad grabbing a cocktail/mocktail on our final night, just the three of us, before heading home.

You LOVE the rare opportunity to have me, your dad, or ideally both of us to yourself. It can be a simple movie night, or a full blown outing, but you relish your time to be an only. And if you score an Icee on top of that, all the better.

We were FINALLY able to experience a school concert, post Covid, the first since you were in preK! You had a speaking part in addition to the singing/choreography and nailed it.

We’ve always called you “Cautious Crew” — you’ve never been a huge risk taker (and I’m pretty okay with that!). This fact combined with your not exactly LOVE of animals made it a pretty big deal when you elected to do a pony ride alongside Greer at an Easter event. The ponies were so chill and literally walked in a circle, and you were visibly nervous and laughing the whole time. But way to conquer a fear?! 😛

Not more than a few hours after your big risk taking, you endured your first broken bone. We KNEW something was off when you came in the house bawling (you are NOT a crier). You had been on your electric scooter (in a helmet, thankfully!) but hit a rut in the sidewalk and went over the handlebars, breaking your clavicle. We had a wonderful experience with DMOS who got you into a sling for four weeks, and I was so proud of how you handled the onslaught of frustrations that followed — for a month, you were permitted no physical activity (including no gym class, recess, or soccer season), along with learning workarounds for not being able to use your right hand in school. You had your moments of exasperation for sure, but in all, you truly took it in stride.

Four weeks finally passed, and you were able to enjoy the (shortened) soccer season. We saw a little trepidation in the way you played the first couple of games back, but you quickly found your groove again.

Your footwork is getting impressive, and we’re always proud of your positive leadership attitude among teammates. Later in the summer, this all served you well as you made your first select team for the coming fall, Academy. This accelerated level of play was SO good for you and you were SO ready for it. Your overall fitness, skill set, and mental sharpness have all grown by leaps and bounds!

Our summer was increasingly fun as Greer dropped to just one nap and was able to hang for longer outings and adventures. (I also love that having you around so much more means I get a much bigger influx in Crew pics!) We had a mix of lazy days at home, lots of time at the pool, and a mix of camps and activities, including your first go at track camp. You weren’t a huge fan of the field events, but you LOVED (and ranked quite high!) in the sprinting.

We squeezed in a couple “only child” outings this summer including a trip to the Menace soccer game, where you got to go on the field as an anthem buddy, and we toured the Iowa Capitol building just the three of us. I think both events made your top list of summer memories!

One of our favorite parts of parenting is getting to show you both new little corners of the world. This summer we used our 4th of July week to visit Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka. We had the BEST long weekend of lounging, eating, boating, and soaking up small town 4th of July lake life. You LOVED boating, which we hadn’t done since before Greer was born and that you could remember.

I love when I catch little boy glimpses still, when something grabs your curiosity and full attention. The recycling center near us opened an interactive mini museum and you were all in reading the various bits of trivia and learning how all the pieces of the puzzle worked.

You are the best big brother, and more than ever as Greer has grown past toddlerhood, your bond is a great one. You genuinly enjoy each other (most of the time), can actually play together, and when Dad or I are at our wit’s end with her, you regularly step in as her handler. Above she had been having a meltdown about leaving the sculpture park. I turned back around to see that you had gone over to carry her, and negotiated her into the car all on your own. That facial expression speaks volumes ha – SIBLINGS, man!

Third grade was a blissfully easy start this year. You were SO comfortable and familiar, had no nerves, and thoroughly enjoyed walking the halls at Open House, greeting teachers and friends and showing us around the building as always. We’ve since learned with the district rezoning, you will move to a different elementary this fall, which has you bummed, to say the least. I think the most frustrating part is that while you will know a handful of friends who will move with you, most of your friends and current staff will all move together to start a new building, whereas you will have to assimilate to a school that’s already established. We chat about it from time to time, focus on the positive, and I’m praying for the growth opportunity ahead of you this coming fall.

A specific memory I have from your 9th year was this day where I got some bonus time with you — after a city water issue, they cancelled only your school building for the day, so you and I and Greer headed to Center Grove Orchard — typically a spot you’d miss out on when G and I go during the week. We went all the time when you were her age and it’s always fun to revisit this spot where we have a lot of memories.

You gave flag football a try this year, when most kids had probably had a year under their belt already, but all the more reason we encouraged you to do it now versus later. Unfortunately we were late to the signup, so you didn’t know anyone on your team and all your buddies were elsewhere together, but you stuck it out and learned a lot more about the game. You’ve become way more knowledgeable than me now to watch a game on tv and make calls even before the refs announce them.

If I have a mental “snapshot” of you in this time of life, it’s this view out the kitchen window — always chilling in the hot tub.

A HUGE lover of music and maker of all the playlists, it was more than fitting that you’d go as a DJ for Halloween. We made you a light up turntable and you loved collecting the compliments, while simultaneously providing a soundtrack to all the trick or treating.

Your first season of select soccer culminated in your (and thus, our) first travel tournament experience. There were wins and losses, thrills and heartache, but it was an incredible overall experience for all of us, and an amazing example of teammate energy. Love this capture of just after you scored a goal. It was SO fun and heartwarming to watch how genuinely excited you all got for each other.

Before we knew it, it was Christmastime again and your list was pretty sparse, having given up on an earlier request for an Apple Watch (which ended up being your surprise big gift). Other faves were Roblox gift cards, and all things comfortable, including a super soft personalized blanket from Papa and Mimi, and cozy slippers.

We got to see another school performance, where you again signed up for a speaking part. It’s so fun to watch you work through the initial nerves of an audience, and then the relief and pride of nailing it.

You’re Roblox obsessed and still love Minecraft, you’re excelling in school, I can’t begin to include pictures of you and all the friends you love to hang with, you have a girlfriend you’re adorably and purely enamored with, Shirley Temples and Icees are the way to your heart, and you’ve never turned down a soft pretzel in your life. You know how to work hard, play hard, and love hard, and there’s not any more I could wish for you than that. Keep being exactly who you are, and I’m confident the life that unfolds for you in the coming years will be nothing short of beautiful. Love you SO much!

Three quarters of the way…to THREE!

You are slowly but surely leaving some of your temperamental twos (and ones…ha!) in the rearview mirror. You can still pull a rage blackout now and then, but thankfully we’re seeing a consistently overall calmer, happier little lady! Your language has exploded the past several weeks in particular, and three or four word sentences have become full-on monologues of Thoughts with Greer.

Between the holidays and the changing seasons, you experienced a lot of milestones this quarter. For the last Halloween before you have an opinion, you went as Cher from Clueless. The outfit was already hanging in your closet and the lightbulb went off – we added some butterfly clips, a purse with some “As If” stickers and of course, your favorite part, a cell phone. You LOVED trick or treating, the weather cooperated, and you stayed out much later than I anticipated you’d last.

You LOVE preschool and you’ve become quite the teacher quizzing us on shapes and colors and letters but also telling us the answer and then saying “good job” before we can get a word in 🙂 As your language has developed, we get to hear more and more details about your day; what you played with, names of friends, new songs, and the daily snacks that most often you “no like”. You’re surviving on little but yogurt these days but in the spirit of “one or the other”, I’ll take the picky eater/amazing sleeper — we have to wake you after 2.5 hours of naps each day, and you sleep most nights from about 8:30 to 7-8 in the morning. You continue to be easy to put down – most nights asking to be left alone, lights off, and door closed behind us.

You’ve seen snow before but of course couldn’t remember it. We haven’t had much since, but this first one was significant coupled with warm enough temps to play in it. You LOVED every minute.

You continue to adore your brother and the holidays brought a couple breaks for you both to have a little more time together. He enjoyed teaching you all about the elves, visiting with Santa, and how to decorate a gingerbread house.

We gifted each of you an experience as part of Christmas this year, and yours was Disney on Ice. You were CAPTIVATED the entire time, singing, clapping, and in general being in awe that two of your favorite movies, Frozen and Encanto, were playing out right in front of you. Worth every penny!

You caught on to more of Christmas this year of course, in particular you loved the Elves and their antics. But it all centered around The Grinch for you — a movie that was watched approximately 67,000 times between November and January.

With your brother at your side, you visited Santa for the second year in a row – this time without the meltdown. There was some last minute hesitation, but you pushed through when you spotted the candy cane reward.

You are obsessed with “snuggo” sessions and will curl up in a heartbeat with anyone available.

You are certain that like your brother, you, too, are eight and expect to be treated as such. I tried to lean into this when you wanted to hold your own Christmas Eve service candle. (!)

You have discovered a flare for Frozen and all dress-up is “an Anna Dress!”. You are deep into the world of mimicking be it with your peg people, your little critters, or your Maileg mice. We often hear you chatting through routines of your day and acting them out with the figures. A popular topic is to echo our more disciplinary conversation — lots of commanding everyone to go potty, wash their hands, and telling them “no more time to play, it’s time to go night night.” All these new interests made shopping for you this Christmas VERY easy. 🙂

One thing forever burned in my brain at this particular age is your obsession with the book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, and eventually the movie as well. You role play the story indoors, outdoors, and in a sensory bin we set up. The “swishy swashy” grass is your favorite part, whether you’re stomping through a field outdoors, or running your hands through our potted plants inside!

You’re always. singing. You’re quickly mastering your first scooter. You live for sparkle. You’re shy around new people, but you have the best manners. You have a love affair going on with every lollipop on the planet. And your favorite activity with anyone other that mom is to “go find mom”. 🤪

Time seems to be speeding up but as we get daily glimpses of the three year old headed our way oh-so-soon we can’t wait to know her, too.

And with a fresh gap in his teeth, we begin 2023…and age 8.

In this time of life, 90% of the pics I have of you are playing soccer. I loved having you home this summer, because I could capture more of you in the day to day (when you weren’t busy with friends), but the moment fall came around, it was right back to lots and lots of photos in jerseys. 🙂 I wouldn’t have it any other way, you are really developing as a player and it has become so. much. FUN to watch you this year!

You are still and forever a hot tub fanatic. We will never not have one now, I’m sure, as insurance that you’ll come home to visit us ha!

Shades of pre-teen years loom now, as it’s sometimes hard to get your attention from a screen. We’re doing our best to balance and set limits, but there are still plenty of times that your imagination takes over anyway and you’re off to build and create.

You were a sport about all the structure I planned for us this summer, yes, in part, to stay off the screens. 🙂 It was a refreshing season of relaxed routines and new adventures with a more flexible toddler rather than a twice-a-day napper from the year previous. I look back on this summer particularly fondly.

You tried several new things this year — some of them at your request and some with our encouragement. Golf lessons introduced you to the most frustrating game — but you also seemed a little bitten by the bug, to your dad’s delight. You’d much rather go along for a round with him than “do lessons”, but at seven, that felt about right. 🙂

You continue to be a strong reader, but your passion is math. We’re happy to see you’re being challenged with some weekly sessions outside of your regular classroom in both subjects. You’ve really reigned in your impulsive need to be the class clown, and consistently the feedback we receive now is about your leadership skills…something you’ve really beamed about and take to heart!

When the special occasion calls for it, you’ll don whatever outfit I’ve dreamed up for you — but for the most part, gone are the days I get to dress you. 🙂 98% of the time now, it’s all athleisure and I can’t say I blame you. Comfort is king!

You’re more sports than arts these days, but I love that we can still connect over photography -you had all kinds of ideas once we got rolling with your annual half birthday session, and you thought carefully about how to use your exposures when we took the polaroid camera to the hot air balloon show this summer.

You’re a patient and fun big brother. It has certainly helped that Greer’s speech has multiplied in the past months – it’s that much easier for you to communicate and really play together. The summer in particular with you home noticeably bonded you. As friends become a bigger center of your world, I see the opportunities for her to be left out mounting, but when you ARE home, you’re quick to give her hugs and ask her about her day…and she loves to do the same.

When I think back on specific memories of this eighth year, the skate park comes to mind. It’s not that often we can take off without our tiny sidekick, and this was an adventure just not suited for her, so it was extra special. The weather was perfect, and you were in awe of this new spot we’d never been to, that felt so “older kid”. Couple that with being smack dab in the middle of a love affair with scooter tricks and you were in heaven. You got to run your “stunts” and I got to shoot just you. A treasured memory for both of us, I think. 🙂

And just like that, you were a second grader. You were admittedly a little nervous at breakfast, but there was something calm and familiar about this year, your third at this school. You walked in knowing where to go, making note of not one but two grades smaller than you, and came home happy and excited for the year ahead.

You became quite the researcher this year, and coupled with an obsession about money (and how to make it!) it’s no surprise that going as Elon Musk (the wealthiest man according to your Google searches) was your choice of Halloween costume.

I can’t believe I actually have two sport coat pictures of you in a single year (ha!) but this one from our family photos this fall in one of my favorites and is so entirely you. In your good natured way, and always on a high after anything we do as a family, you remarked in the car after shooting these, “that was actually really fun, guys!” <3

Did I mention most of my pics are of you playing soccer? 🙂 You completed two more rec seasons in the spring and then the fall, keeping up with skills over the winter via indoor sessions. This coming fall is the first you’ll be eligible for the competitive club level and you can. not. wait.

You tried wrestling for the first time and it was all kinds of growth for you. You’d become a bit of a soccer star in your circle, and school has always come very easily. From an athletic standpoint, you could hang with the others, but learning rules, moves, and general information about an all-new sport was a great character builder, challenging you to listen, focus, accept some defeat, and come back to try again. There were a lot of frustrating moments with this sport, but a lot of very proud ones for us watching you.

As the holidays approached, it was the first year you knew all the secrets, but the magic still managed to prevail. You agreed to a Santa pic with Greer and I held you to it. Cleverly, you had given us your list weeks ahead of the visit, but threw a curveball by asking Santa in front of us for some last-minute Air Jordans, while casting a side smile our way. Stinker! This shot of you, all grown up as far as Santa, but still opting for the reindeer headband, is the perfect depiction of this “transitional” year for you. You wanted the magic (and didn’t want to help with the elves, you wanted to be surprised), but loved being trusted with the confidence of the secret and took the responsibility very seriously.

Hot items on your wish list this year were Pokemon cards, an electric scooter, and a safe. It was also the first year you used a little of your own money to shop for your sister.

As we planned for your birthday, you first wanted a Pokemon card-trading playdate, essentially. We decided to table that for an “anytime” thing and took full advantage of scheduling something indoor and energy-burning over what became an extra-long winter break, thanks to a blizzard. Is it any surprise…we rented some turf and did a soccer themed party with 15 other second graders. Yes, we came home and drank wine, but you guys had a blast.

As you venture into your ninth year, I hope you stay funny, sweet, perceptive, and all about time with your family. You love big, play hard, and laugh often, and we wish you more of all of it in the coming year.

Hello, two and a half.

I said just recently to Page, “I’m not sure when it happened exactly, but she’s really not a baby anymore.”

Breaking out in song, counting to eleven (it gets sketchy after that…), obsessed with the ABCs. Constantly swinging between wanting to be carried and coddled…and being fiercely independent.

Officially a preschooler and loving every minute – we never saw a tear, just excited to emulate her big bro and simply said, “bye mom love you!” before the car even came to a complete stop.

“Mom” has become “mommy”, potty trained, yelling “Scuse you!!” at anyone who is in her way. Loves purses, wallets, jewelry, and makeup. Cuddling dogs as much as possible, but still zero interest in babies, much preferring older kids.

Yells “I’m super!!” Whenever tackling a big physical challenge, often role playing two sides of a make believe conversation, and finally drama free to stay with a sitter!

Playing 2yo soccer and watching all the Daniel Tiger, Sesame Street, Pixar movies and Blippi. Picky as ever with eating, but still gracing our lives with a 3+ hour nap.

In short, crushing this two year old thing. <3

What a busy first quarter of two it has been! It began with Easter, wrapped with the 4th, and spanned lots of fun in between!

You seemed to love your Easter dress this year 🙂 It was our first time back in church for this holiday and it felt so lovely and normal! You checked yourself out in the mirror an awful lot before we left and loved coming into the service at the end to hear the music.

With the nicer weather becoming more consistent, there was a whole new world of getting outside for more adventures. Aside from a sudden and intense fear of bugs that thankfully mellowed after a couple weeks, you’ve loved the go-go-go of adventuring outside, park-hopping, and playing in all the water.

Before the school year wrapped for Crew, we did another round of swim lessons, this time with your friend, GiGi and her mom. It was fun to have a friend, and helpful to curb your fearlessness in the water just a tad 😉 I had hoped it could be a “mom stays out of the water” scenario and you’d go to the teacher, but you just weren’t having that. You are, without a doubt, my clingier kid!

It’s been a fun season of “firsts” as the world sincerely feels “normal” again. You (and Crew!) attended your first wedding. You’ve always been of the mindset that if you are dancing, no one else can, and instead we just have to watch and cheer ha! This wedding changed your perspective and now you LOVE when everyone is dancing together.

Another first was the farmer’s market for you! It was particularly special to me to have this outing with you after we made it so many times with Crew at this age. You LOVED seeing the dogs of course!

You continue to love a task, and you are particularly focused when it comes to drawing/painting and anything with small details. You hate to be “messy” and will ask for a wipe to clean up your hand or a spot where you drip, so it’s pretty low-stress to give you free reign with these activities – you can more or less be trusted! 😉

You’re starting to understand real phone calls versus FaceTime – “hello! What doin?” is heard on repeat as you turn everything in the house into a pretend phone. You’re very into pretend now in general and your favorite toys are Little People, your peg dolls, and little animals that you can have converse, eat pretend food, and tuck into bed.

You are talking so much more than three months ago, and yet I still laugh outright sometimes at how different your verbal development is from any toddler I’ve heard. You will articulate a full sentence of clear words…and then go back to rambling in your own language for the next few thoughts. “Oh no, Mom — baby sad!” if you hear a baby crying, and then back to your own jargon and we just nod and smile along. You are LOVING having Crew home this summer and with that much more convo in the house, your language continues to expand – it’s already foreign to think of the time I kept a list of words you know hoping to clear 100…I would guess you are up to a thousand-plus now and adding more every day.

Speaking of Crew, the bond is the strongest we’ve seen yet — he’s just enough older now to read you better, and you’re just enough more communicative to meet him halfway. You think everything he does is hilarious, and you often copy his every move. Thankfully he’s incredibly tolerant, and I think he secretly loves being idolized. 🙂

And in other tight-bond news, you have definitely hit that bell curve where you truly remember Papa and Mimi between visits and no longer have to “warm up” every time you see them. Visits are that much more fun now!

Two is so busy and so full of emotions…lots of focus and frustration and big excitement and intense love and all. the. things. all at once. It’s so helpful that the communication is booming lately and our understanding of each other continues to strengthen each day. You can voice more opinions without meltdowns, or decline things before we waste them offering them up to you. You’ve gotten pickier about food choices lately…but we also suspect some molar movement has to do with this one.

You’re game for most of what the rest of us want to do, hate to be left out of anything, and want your “own” of whatever we are doing – case in point with the golf club you had to carry but barely used at our round of mini golf.

The firsts continued this quarter with a first official (read: not clumsy Mom-snipped) haircut. You were immediately fine after but in true form didn’t like doing something that wasn’t 1000% your idea.

You can answer when asked what your name is or how old you are, but often won’t do it unless – again – it’s your idea 🙂 You count “one two five two!” but will keep going in random order depending on how many objects you need to cover. You love to sing Happy Birthday (“to me!”) and you exclaim at any animal that it is “awww! so CUTE!”

Between Dad’s frequent work from home days and Crew being home for the summer, you are loving all the face time you get with everyone around. Fall is going to seem so quiet — and yet, you love furniture that is your size, predictable routines, fresh toys, and other kids — so I think you are going to LOVE the two mornings a week of preschool in store for you come September.

This first quarter of two wrapped just after Independence Day. It was insanely hot and we spent the weekend in the pool for the most part, you rode in your first neighborhood parade, and you stayed up late to experience a few fireworks. You liked them from far away or even down the driveway, but after a while your exhaustion caught up with you and we finished them with you sound asleep in your crib. 🙂

Definitely our firecracker child. We can’t wait to see what this next portion of age two brings for you, Greer Girl. Xs and Os.

Busy. Busy. Busy. But still napping for three hours and (mostly) sleeping through the night with the occasional hiccup, so I can’t complain.

22 Months:

You’ve made the leap to really try and use words to communicate rather than gesturing or crying. You’ve had lots of words but none of the “key” ones to get your needs met until more recently, and now you’re adding more short phrases and continued thoughts. Just tonight you said “up…bed!” Asking me to pick you up and place you on my bed so you could snuggle. We hear a lot of “where go?!” and you’re stringing together “up above the world” and “eyes and ears and mouth and nose” when singing. If we asked you who we are and point to each family member you will name us (you’ve been saying our names for a long time but would never name us when we showed you pictures or pointed at each other until recently) and when we ask you who you are you’ve started to say Greer! “Gear” 🙂 Mimi still comes out like “may” but you are trying!

Part of the bedtime routine is to say “mom is going night night” and then repeat listing each member of our family. If we skip this you will immediately start asking, “mom? crew?” until we recite it. When you’re ready for a meal or snack you don’t really ask for food — you simply climb into your booster and pat the kitchen table! You comprehend zillions more than you can articulate which is frustrating for everyone at times, and yet we can feel that we are so close to some breakthroughs in this next season.

You fought your first cold in quite a while this month, might be working on some molars?? but are thankfully still rocking that three hour nap and sleeping most nights for about 12 hours. The dog obsession is still going strong and you’ve amassed a little collection. Just like Crew with his garbage trucks, each seems to be special to and equally adored by you.

New words: “yes” (instead of “k”); help, moon; hi/bye moon, downstairs, upstairs, bed, blocks, car, heart, and working hard on “please” and “iPad”. You’ve shortened our names to just “mom” and “dad” already — I’m sure because that’s what Crew calls us.

23 Months:

You LOVE TO HELP with any and all tasks. I’m trying to give you busy work as much as real “chores” because you are noticeably happier when you have something to do. You’ve developed an intense love for Playdoh and really any pouring/sensory play will keep you occupied for some time. It’s amazing how you can have little patience for some tasks, but infinite amounts for others.

New words: “again” (instead of saying more for everything) “this” (pointing at anything you want but don’t have a name for) “pop” (bubbles/ poke a dot books), your own version of “toothbrush/toothpaste” (complete with brushing motion), “cup”, “blue” (identified correctly), spelling our names out loud while scribbling (with a couple correct letters) “d….d….d…dad! C…d…crew!” You will spend minutes at a time studying printed text (magazines, a bible, etc ha!) You are CERTAIN you are reading.

24 Months:

More short sentences. “Open door” “bye guys” “up bed” “it’s COLD!” when going outside (where is Spring?!) and trying to count to three “one, two, five”. Still TONS of rambling but more and more real words sprinkled in – it’s like you can’t slow down to just speak simple first sentences — you have too many thoughts to get out all the time. “House”, “tree”, “cold” and “bow” are some of your newest words and your favorite song to sing is “head SHOES knees and toes” 🙂

You are trying hard to jump and like to walk on balance things – like a curb or a path of magnatiles. You love going to the park and are so ready for more outside time. In the meantime, we’ve started some swim lessons with your friend, Gigi — after several months off you are picking up some new skills a bit older this time – your favorite is to blow bubbles, and you are much calmer backfloating this time around. You are suddenly very clingy this month and also expressing dislike for being dirty when you need your diaper changed. (I’m hoping this means potty training will be easy!) You are either very happy or very unhappy – the mood swings come and go in a flash. Look out, two 😅

You love Frozen, drawing, all jewelry, yelling at Alexa to play music, yelling over everyone when we’re in a conversation, snuggling, being included in everything, putting on everyone’s shoes, and eating shredded cheese by the fistful. Happy TWO to my tiny best friend, you are a whole personality right now, but we can’t imagine this house without you in it.<3