Come on, Spring!

I can't believe February is almost over or that my baby will be two months old soon! But, that does mean that spring is right around the corner and we just can't wait! Weather in VA has been rather cold and even included a snow day last week but, in true VA fashion, Spring has given us a little tease here and there. On the one or two warmer days, visited the playground and tennis courts...which makes for two very happy boys!

Ryan just finished up a little hockey class which he just loved! A couple of months ago, my parents took him to see my cousin's ice hockey game and he fell in love with the concept. Shortly after, I saw the local community center was offering a floor hockey class and enrolled him.

Ryan continues to enjoy preschool 3 mornings a week. The children exchanged Valentines Day cards this month and when he brought his home, he was excited to examine each of the cards and was even able to read about 15 of the children's names. Braden was very jealous that he did not get a bag of cards, too!

This past month, Ryan also has turned into a little scribe...wanting to write his name on all new toys and possessions. At a recent birthday party, he got a little notebook in his party bag and I will often find him writing our family names over and over...."Ryan, Papa, Mama, Braden and Devin" are repeated on several pages.

Braden spends most of his time trying to catch up with his big brother. He knows just enough to try to play with Ryan but not enough to play in peace with Ryan. For example, they love to play hide-and-seek....Braden will count to 21 and then find Ryan. But, when it is Braden's turn to hide, he will hide in the exact same spot over and over (like behind my leg) and then when Ryan says "ready or not, here I come..." Braden thinks that is his cue to run out and scream "Here I am Ryan!!"...which REALLY upsets Mr. Follow-the-Rules!

Braden learned how to draw a smiley face this month and loves to draw those and rain drops. He also asks for help to draw "B for Braden" but hasn't quite figured out how to draw that one on his own, though. He is very curious about other letters and often asks "What letter this one?" with excitement but can really only identify "B for Braden". Oh, and unless you want to see an all out two-year-old tantrum/screaming fit, please don't suggest that an "8" is not a "B for Braden"! Yikes!!!!

Devin is still as cute as ever, if I do say so myself! His right eye has developed glaucoma which is getting better but is still not resolved enough to give him his contact lens. We have another follow up appointment in a couple of days so hopefully we will continue to see more progress. His brothers love him SOOO much. Ryan loves to hold Devin, sing to him and hold his hand. He also likes to explain about his toys and show him how things work. No matter what else is going on, Braden is great at popping up and giving Devin his pacifier. He also gets excited when he wakes up - "He's awake!!!!" :-)

I'll try to get some pictures up here soon!