backseat conversations

This morning I left the house a complete and total mess to be out the door and up the road. We were driving along and I couldn't help but noticing how Kyle is so aware of his surroundings. When did this happen?
Daddy's work, mommy! Daddy's work. - when we drive by Dan's work
Digger, mommy! - when we go by the road work
Doctor, mommy. - when we go by his doctor's office
Gymnastics, mommy! - when he drive by where he took gymnastics months ago
There's no getting anything past this guy.
So we are almost to the playground where we are meeting Jamie and River (which we get to do a good amount and we love), and I hear Kyle say:
No mommy! - which unfortunately has been a favorite lately
So I say: You don't say no to mommy
To which he replies: Stop mommy!
You don't say stop mommy
ExCUSE ME, mommy!
HAHAhahahahaha
He is hilarious and smart and boy oh boy do we have our hands full.

Last night I went to lay down with him to put him to bed. Dan usually does this but he had been working hard all day and then cut the grass and grilled out when he got home. I heard the Oriole's game on and wanted to give him a break. So I went in to lay down with Kyle thinking he'd live the snuggles. After a few minutes, he looks at me and pushes me away and says no mommy! I was confused until I realized what he wanted. Oh, do you want daddy? OKAY! he exclaims and then kisses me on the lips and waits for me to call Dan to come snuggle with him.

the beach and wasps

It was a pretty wonderful long weekend. On Thursday morning, the boys and I drove down to Delaware. Can we just take a moment to recognize the fact that I used to be afraid to be alone with these two and now here we are at 2.5 years and 6 months and I'm driving 3 hours with them by myself! I'm happy to report it was a much better trip down this time than the first. We stopped off for breakfast and diaper changes in Annapolis and both boys fell asleep once we were over the Bay Bridge. Our first stop was the Rehoboth boardwalk. I have so many great memories here! I parked blocks away and broke out the double stroller to wheel my two littles as close to the ocean as we could get without me having to navigate the stroller in the sand. The smells, sights, tastes and sounds completely delighted my senses. I snagged a few slices of Grottos and we headed to Funland. Kyle was so interested in all of the games and lights. It was very cool to see him taking it all in. The duck pond game delighted him and he hung out there for 10 minutes or so while I gave Ryan his bottle. I was thinking that he would love the rides -- and he did --- from afar. I bought several tickets but he wanted nothing to do with actually riding in the rides and so we watched them and talked about them and after a while headed to meet up with Grace and Trey at the pool. I was super impressed with how Kyle was soon jumping in like he's been doing it forever. Saturday we drove back to Annapolis in a horrendous storm and then the skies completely changed and it was sunny and a perfect boat day. Dan and I met Jeff and Towney and actually took the boat under the bridge and over to dinner on Kent Island. It was so much fun! We had to race back to beat the rain and it was a bit scary because there were no other boats around but we made it. Sunday night I was taking out the recycling and Kyle went into his little hideout on the deck and came running out screaming Mommy! I saw all of these bees swarming and yelled for Dan. Poor buddy was stung 8 + times by these wasps - on his hand, chin, arm and back. Completely heart-breaking. He was so much better the next morning thankfully and didn't have any crazy type of reaction but it sure was scary. Parenthood is sure not for the weak.

Turning 39

A lot can happen in 15 months. I was sitting downstairs after putting Ryan down for the night, eating cake by myself and checking email/catching up on the day. I saw an email from my grandmother urging me to blog...I can't say no to her and I've missed it. So here I am. Deciding where to start with a wet head after our "rain shower" (about 2 weeks ago I introduced Kyle to the shower versus the bath and he hasn't looked back. We go in together and laugh as the water tickles us. Amazing that the shower used to be a place of peace where I could grab several minutes to myself but not anymore and I'm okay with it. I love his big grin and giggles and spiky, wet eye lashes). I turned 39 two days ago. Its been a great weekend of celebrating. I am a Leo after all and we like to drag these birthday things out for days and days if not weeks! Saturday morning we loaded the boys in the car and drove to main street Sykesville - grabbed coffees and headed to the park. We had the place to ourselves and Kyle was delighted. He wanted to watch the skate boarders (wow. so cool mommy) and walk the wall like a tightrope (he counted to 22!) I fed Ryan his breakfast and soaked up the vitamin D and unseasonably cool but clear and gorgeous day. Ryan - we found out that Kyle was going to be a big brother around Memorial Day of last year. Pregnancy was different the second time around and while running after an extremely active and emotional toddler. Ryan Garrett Kerr entered our world on January 23 and nothing has been the same since. It has been an adjustment to say the least to parent to two little ones but we are in such a good place recently and for that I am incredibly grateful. Ryan is an absolute joy. He is easy-going and sweet. He rarely cries and is a pretty good sleeper. He smiles with his whole entire face and sucks in when he laughs. He loves watching his big brother and is rolling around and inching like crazy. He is so very close to crawling. He makes everyone light up and feel so special. He is amazing. I love him to pieces. After the park and our pretty perfect morning, we headed home and I went to get a manicure and then met Chrissy, mom and Kara at Baldwin's for lunch. I'm lucky. I know this. Yesterday I took Kyle to the farmers market (his favorite thing this week was the hula hoops) and the farm store then Dan drove him around to try to get him to nap before our big outing at Black Ankle. The timing and everything worked out perfectly. We spent the afternoon there and it was so much fun! Great to be with family and new and old friends. The littles had a great time too. Dan totally surprised me this year. He get us u2 tickets. In. San Diego! We are going for 5 days next month without the boys. It is going to be tough to be away from them but I cannot wait for the concert and our vacation.