Today Big Brother Ayden picked out Gavin's outfit. He picked out the stegosaurus shirt and insisted he wear his as well.
It just SCREAMED.....PHOTO OP!!!!
Ayden just adores his little brother. It is so awesome. He was so excited that I was taking pictures of them together. He kept saying, 'ok my turn', now 'gabin's turn', now 'gabin hold me' (upon which I imparted some 'size wisdom' on Ayden). It was like he couldn't get close enough.
'I touched his nose!!'
Ayden wanted to give 'Gabin' a Kiss!
Then Ayden wanted Gavin to give him a kiss....
I think in place of a kiss Gavin gave Ayden's cheek some nice sucking!
Ahh....Can you feel the love?!?
Did anyone else notice as you were scanning the pictures how Gavin's hair seems to match the color of his Stegosaurus???!!!!!!
What you can't tell in these pics is that Gavin's eyes are a beautiful blue. J and I adoringly call him our recessive gene baby =)
What an awesome thing. Built in playmates that you don't have to share your parents attention with!! It's like the uber sibling!
I was fortunate enough to have grown up with my cousin (Scottie) who was also my best friend. We were inseparable. And when the miles separated us, we still connected whether through visits, email or phone calls. Eventually Scott came out east to go to school and that put us within driving distance again. In our 28 years we have been through a lot. Besides my brother, no one has known me longer (referring only to those in our generation of course). Our relationship has grown and transformed over the years, adjusting to the different stages of our lives. Now...married with two kids... and what seems like eons away from our childhood, I am still blessed to see him almost weekly. We both ended up back in Tucson...both married to spouses with whom the other has become friends...and both travel in the same circle of friends.
I have to say it is pretty amazing.
It is an understatement to say he did, does and always will hold a very special place in my heart.
A friendship like this is what I wish for my sons and their cousins, Zane and Thea. Besides my selfish desire to see my niece and nephew FAR more than I do, I want the kids to be close or at least develop a relationship/friendship they can count on for the rest of their lives. They don't have to be best friends (but I hope they are!), but I guarantee the memories they create as kids will hold a special place in their hearts for each other forever.
This hit home this past week when Zane and Ayden had their first telephone conversation. They chatted and chatted...it was down right hilarious. Ayden walked all around the house talking away like a real phone pro. He then proceeded to take the phone with him to the potty. (great manners...I swear I have no idea where he got that from!!) What you don't get to hear on the video - because I was too dumbfounded by the whole thing and laughing to pull myself together to video it (and notice it is sideways!!) - is that Ayden is telling Zane how they are going to go on a trip together and see whales (Shamu) and how Uncle Michael and Aunt Dasha and Thea and Mommy and Dadddy and Mimi are all going too! It was just adorable!
I apologize for the TMI in this video, but hey....he's only 2!
And so I hope every day that these four miracles who have come into this family and made our lives forever bright will also share common memories of their wonderful childhood together. They have only played together a handful of times and yet these kids (Zane and Ayden at least for now), are drawn to each other. They love each other in their unquestioning, wholehearted, boundless way.
While I am probably the mushy mom of two - guilty as charged - (certainly not the stoic soldier like Scott), watching these kids makes me feel soooooo warm and fuzzy inside because it makes me think of my Scottie; my playmate; my best friend; my confidant; my cousin.
Two more great videos (if i do say so myself) of our budding little athlete. I just love how after every hit (no matter what he hits) he says, "That was a good one!". Can you tell we are very encouraging!!?!? One day I will get on camera how encouraging Ayden is to us as well...exclaiming with his arms in the air.. "YOU DID IT MOMMY (or Daddy or Mimi as the case may be)!!"
Since Ayden could walk I have been dying to take him to the Desert Museum, we just haven't been able to coordinate it with nap times. Well, this past weekend my friend Courtney was visiting from NY and we decided to give it a go with both boys armed with lots of sunscreen (well not exactly...but thank goodness they were handing it out and it is in all the restrooms), the new double stroller, snacks, cameras and Mimi!
Gavin was the most perfect little man in his stroller the whole time. So patient, so smiley, so Gavin.
And this big boy was an angel. Here he is showing us his cool sticker that changes color to tell you when to re-apply sunscreen.
I just get lost in those eyes...
Ayden needed his own map to lead the way. After lots of coordinating, organizing, and sunscreen slathering, we were on our way!
Here comes Court!!
Ayden was in to EVERYTHING. Observant, thoughtful, curious.
My little preppy boy.
What a face. I sense he will be observant and pensive like Ayden.
Angelic. Sometimes I wonder how he can hold his eyes open with those lashes.
Love this structure. And my camera...on the rare occasions I break it out.
Mr. Independent.
Huge THANK YOU to my in-laws for helping us buy this awesome double stroller. A life saver.
He was 'sleeping'.
Rosy cheeks...I have no idea where he gets that from ;)
My most favorite favorite photo.
Someone pinch me...I can't believe he is mine.
Little Piggies!!
Yup....still RED!!
Humming Birds. It was here that we hit our breaking point (and by "we" I mean a particular two year old). And so we hit the road and Ayden took a MUCH needed Nap.
As Jeremy keeps reminding me...I just can't stop talking about this day. We had a BLAST. The kiddos were picture perfect.
And I had the company of my good friend Court who, for those who don't know, was my freshman roommate at Cornell and was a bridesmaid in my wedding, and whom I have the honor of being a bridesmaid in her wedding this September. She is one of the most sincere, kindhearted, genuine, down to earth people I know. I can't thank you enough Court for taking the time to come visit and for going with the flow. You were awesome with the kids and it means so much that you came and got a little slice of our chaotic family life =) You're the best, see you in September!!!!
