3 Years Old

Tag,

You turned 3 years old today. When you woke up, there were a lot of big balloons waiting for you in the living room and we watched one of your favorite movies called "UP" for breakfast.

You call this movie, "Mr. Fredrickson" after the old man in the movie.  The first time you asked to watch Mr. Fredrickson, it took me a while to figure out what you were talking about!  Now I call it the same thing. There are two lines in the movie that you always laugh at and want me to rewind.  One is when the little boy is looking around Mr. Fredrikson's house for the first time and he sees the photo of the old man as a boy wearing goggles, and he says, mostly to himself, "Hmmp.  Goggles."

The other line you like is when the little boy is telling Mr. Fredrikson how he got the house to South America using his GPS, and he makes funny sounds as he describes it to the old man.  He says, "The GPS tells me wherever we are on the planet, BE BO BOOP BA BE BE BEEP."

I love that you noticed these lines and have taught me to laugh at them too.

Watching "Mr. Fredrickson" with the boys

Then we had a blast jumping on trampolines at a little place in Provo. Some of your friends from Nursery were there, as well as some of your Kriser cousins.  But I was honored to find out you have the most fun hanging out with me.

Successful candle extermination, first attempt.

How old are you, Tagman?

Opening presents.

As I think back over your 2nd year, I am in awe of how much happiness my life has with you in it. When you were born I really didn't know if you were going to stay alive for even a day... But this ominous start to your life helped me understand how precious each day is and we really had fun this year.  I don't know if you'll remember all the fun we have had, but I will never forget it.

My consulting practice as an internet marketer allows me to be at home and around you and Doozie more than most Dads and we take full advantage of playing, pillow fights being our favorite.  About a month ago, I took a break from working and went upstairs to get a drink.  You noticed me and yelled, "Hey Dad!  What are you doing?"
Me:  I'm getting a drink.
You: And then you have to go work?
Me:  Yes, I have to go work.
You:  Sometimes Daddy's have to work?
Me: Yes
You:  But, sometimes little boys want Daddy's to play!

We went and had an epic pillow fight.

During your twos you mastered things quickly.  You have a great arm and can throw a spiral pass with a football right to me from across the room.  I showed you how to hold a baseball bat during the summer and pitched a few of the little practice baseballs we have to you and within about 5 swings, you were smashing them right back at me or over my head.  Papaw Spence was visiting and he saw you hitting some balls and he asked, "How long has he been doing that?"  When I told him it was your 2nd time, he shook his head in amazement and commented, "That's not normal."  There's no doubt that your hand-eye coordination is above average.

You also like to kick soccer balls to me.  We spread our legs and try and kick it across the room into the goal and you mostly beat me at this game.  You love any sport I present you with and quickly pick it up.  This gets me very excited about future adventures.

You have a fun and unique personality.  You are mostly outgoing and often walk up to kids your age in restaurants and say, "Hi!, What's your name?"  When adults who know you or wish they knew you come up and say hello, you sometimes are shy, but you are quick to give a high five or "bones". Momsie Spence runs the nursery in our church and she often comments how you instinctively know when another child needs some love and you are quick to give them a hug or a smile.  This is unique for a 2 year old and I really admire this quality in you.

You and a cute girl you met at the airport and took her away for a chat,
causing much grief for us and her parents until you were found

You are a real talker and have a much more developed vocabulary than other kids your age.  You ask me so many questions while we drive, that sometimes I lose my patience and tell you, "No more questions!" -- To which you reply, "Dad, not even one more question?" -- Or you say, "Dad, are you frustrated with me?"  This makes me laugh and I just have to remember to respect your curious mind.

At least 5 times a day, you stop what you are doing and you turn to me, put your arms around me and say "Daddy, I love you."  We are very close and I hope this friendship will continue.

You share a love for Halloween with me, and I really love that about you.  This year, you really knocked trick-or-treating out of the park.

You LOVE to try on scary masks

More fun at the costume store

Scary SkeleTag

Since Halloween, when I pretended there might be monsters in the dark corners of the basement, you are constantly wondering about "monsters" and you often ask me if there are monsters in the trees or downstairs.  Even though I reassure you that there are no monsters, and we sometime pretend there might be some, I can tell you wonder about this. Just recently you decided you didn't want to sleep in your tent, and you switched to the regular bed with only a few small episodes of waking and crying in the middle of the night.  I hope it has nothing to do with monsters.

Love - Hate relationship with the Ghost I hung up

You have a tender heart and sometimes I wonder how I can teach you to be tough in a world that requires this trait.  I taught you a little trick when you get hurt that helps you sometimes.  When you fall and get hurt, you raise your arms above your head and pull them down really fast at the elbow like you are doing an imaginary pull-up, and you make a loud grunting noise.  It's a good reminder to be tough with physical pain.  I wonder how I am going to teach you about emotional pain and how to handle those situations.

Last week we took you to see Santa and it was classic.  You know who Santa is and that he has something to do with Christmas, but you aren't yet aware of Santa's magic powers and his ability to grant your wishes.  So, when you sat on his lap and he asked you what you wanted for Christmas, you quietly replied, "I want a candy cane."  Santa said he could probably grant that wish.  As we walked away, you looked at me with a sincere face and asked, "Dad, how come Santa didn't give me a candy cane?"

You love your little brother and you often give him hugs and tell me how you are going to teach him to throw or kick or run.  A few times, you have pushed him down for no reason, but mostly you share with him and love to have him around.  I feel the same way.  I will reserve my observation about Doozie for another post.  When you and I are having a pillow fight or doing any playing at all, it only takes about 10 seconds for The Dooz to crawl his way into the room and scream at me to lift him up right in the middle of the action.  You are mostly always accommodating and welcome him into the game.  I really like that about you.

Hangin' on Santa's couch

You and The Doozie

You do this often to The Dooz

You love to sit close to me and watch Bugs Bunny or other fun things.  You love Yosemite Sam and Tweety Bird but not so much the Coyote vs. Roadrunner cartoons.  I feel the exact same way.  Oftentimes, a cartoon will come on and you'll say, "Dad, this is a dumb one."  And you are always correct.

You used to only want to watch Toy Story, but this year you switched to E.T., UP, Wallace & Gromit, Ice Age, and your favorite, Curious George.  You are much like Curious George, who is curious and happy, with no guile.  Oftentimes, I see you on the other couch watching Curious George and laughing to yourself with his antics and adventures.  I love that.

You are a Broncos fan

I've heard about the "Terrible Two's", but you really haven't had those.  Yeah, when you are tired you can be a little stubborn, but mostly Joann and I marvel at your happiness and ability to make friends.

You, dive-bombing a pizza

Ellie VanTassel.  She's 6, but one of your good friends

Most of all, you have taught me how much love Heavenly Father and the Savior have for me.  I love you so much and my life is so much happier with you in it.  If you ask me for something with your sincere, happy little heart, I find myself excited to give it to you and hope you will continue to ask me for more help or even just a lollipop because it lets me know you believe in me and that I can and will give it to you.  Whatever the desire, it doesn't matter.  I just want to give it to you.  Isn't this how God is to me?  The answer is yes.  Each time I have remembered to ask him for help, surrendering my pride and ridiculous notion that everything I want is up to me, He answers my prayer and helps me in ways that only a father can deliver.  I hope I can teach you this important principle as you grow up.

Happy Birthday, Tagman.

Potty Training

Tag is potty training, which has included some interesting sprays in the house and many soiled underpants.  He is making progress though.  It's funny how he lets us know he needs to go #2.  He says, "Dad, my stomach is hot!"

We have used bribery which seems to motivate him somewhat.  He gets a lollipop or a full piece of gum after a successful bowel movement.  These are two of his favorite things.

But tonight, we were visiting Momsie and Papaw (Joann's parents), and while we were sitting on their porch admiring the amazing sunset and view, Tag ran up to me and said, "Dad, I'm going poops!"  Since he was already naked from the waste down from already soiling his underwear 20 minutes earlier, I rushed him in to their bathroom and he jumped up on the toilet.  We sat there for about 90 seconds and after nothing was happening, I asked him, "Tag are you going to go poops?"

He replied, "No, my poop is resting with my other poops."

Confidence

I was downstairs working this morning, and I heard Tag knocking on the door, saying something to me.  After he said it 3 times, and I couldn't understand what it was he was trying to tell me, I walked up the stairs and opened the door.

"What did you say?" I asked.

"My hair is gorgeous!"

Joann had just put some mousse in his hair and wanted me to know what he thought about it.  I'm still laughing.

Two Year Old Tagisms

Joann and I were talking tonight about how much we wish we could freeze Tag right now.  He is so precious and cute (at least to us).  I find myself spending more and more time away from the computer and in the moment with him, as I feel he will leave this special phase much too quickly.  Here's a few things he has said over the last few weeks.

About a week ago, he and I were sitting outside on the front steps.  He said, "Daddy, it's beautiful outside!" and I laughed and agreed with him.  Then he said, "We are a family..." -- and his tone was so thoughtful and grateful and positive.  This kid is only 2 and quarter years old!

The way he says things just makes me want to hug him.  Anyway, I replied that we are a family.  And also that we are a happy family.  He laughed and said, "Yeah."

Then, yesterday he and I were sitting on the couch watching Curious George at about 7AM (a typical start to our day these days), and he saddled right up to me and said, "Daddy, I want to be a happy family outside."  I was speechless how much I wanted to hug him and keep him the same little boy forever.

Tag's memory is astounding.  The other day, he was at the park with Jo and he saw a little blonde girl and said, "I want to go play with Brielle." -- Brielle is the daughter of our friends, Matt and Kieri Coombs, who Tag hasn't seen since he was about 18 months old! He remembers things like that all the time.

Since Pack is teething, I often sleep downstairs so I am somewhat functional during the day.  Bless Joann's heart for letting me do this. The house we live in is creaky, so around 7AM I often am awakened by Tag walking across the floor and attempting to quietly come down the stairs.  This morning, he sneaked up to where I was lying down and said, quietly, "Daddy, are you waking up?"

"NO," I said.

He paused and said, "Daddy, are you coming upstairs to watch Curious George with me?"

"Yes," I said, realizing that my sleep was ended, whether I wanted it to or not.

He paused and said, "Daddy, I'm poopy. Are you going to change my poops?"

"Yes."

Then he laughed in a way that communicated how excited he was to start the day with his Daddy.

I was excited too.

Recent photo of Tag and baby Pack.

Best cheeks ever.

Check that.  THESE are the best cheeks ever!

Happiest I've ever been.

Best Alarm Clock Ever

This morning, I was sleeping peacefully at about 7 AM with my head facing the edge of the bed. All of a sudden I was awakened with small taps to my cheek by two fingers of my two year old son, Tag.  I opened my eyes to see a smiling face that said, quietly, "I'm a basketball player."

This was the best alarm clock I have ever had.

Here's a few pictures taken today. It was a happy day filled with smiles and play.

In bed this morning before the day began.

Joann and Pack enjoying the sunny day.

Brotherly Love

Allegiances

Mitch is an avid U of U fan but here Tag is showing a happy inclination towards my Cougs- 

Thanks to the Van Tassel's who dressed him up when he was there visiting :)

We met up with Aunt Tiffany and cousins Timber, James, and Kaya for some fun last week at the Dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point.  The kids were fascinated by the visiting physics exhibit from another museum.  It was really cool!  Maybe we'll have a future physicist in the bunch?

 

Pack enjoying it via stroller :)

Tag loved getting the big puzzle pieces off and trying to fit them in the display!

This was a matching the skeleton display he loved

Tag and Kaya playing in the dirt

Tag really just wanted to throw everything as usual (dirt, toys, etc)

Timber and a friend's son playing with his Dinosaurs

James excavating like a pro

Hey Peoples!

Oweeoweeow ride with Papaw

 Tag has started referring to us as "guys" and "peoples".  Last night as we were headed to a friend's house we heard: "I'm buckled peoples" from the back of the car and got quite a kick out of that.  Two is such a fun age.  He loves life and gets so excited to learn, explore, play.  He keeps us entertained all the time.  We were all really tired yesterday after Tag decided he didn't want to go to sleep Friday night.  It's the first time he has slept with us since he was a baby (and the last Mitch hopes after getting clubbed several times during the night).  We gave up checking in on him periodically as he cried and plead for us to "rub da back" at midnight and brought him in to our bed and it was still almost 2am before he fell asleep- very strange for him!  I'm wondering if he found a secret Dr. Pepper stash or something?

Mitch and I are working to not give Tag anything he wants if he's fussing. He's a quick learner and will rephrase what he wants and change his demeanor most of the time with a reminder.  On the way home the other night he was fussing about getting in his seat and wanting a treat.  After we said something about the fussing it got quiet for a minute, and then we heard his adorable little voice pipe up with "I'm happy guys!"

Tag is such a smarty!  His use of language and new words surprises me constantly.  As an example, the other day I asked him if he wanted something or not and his reply was "Not."  We think the Einstein look fits him nicely, but this was the only picture I could get at the attempted photo shoot with Mitch's cousin AJ.  The wig lasted about ten seconds when I asked to shoot a picture to make Daddy laugh.  Tag wasn't up for modeling the wig :( I think Daddy is the one to accompany him to photo shoots- Maybe another day!

Einstein Flunkee

Pressure Packed

I get the honor of giving baby Pack a priesthood blessing tomorrow evening. In our church, we don't baptize babies, but we do give them a name and a blessing through the restored Priesthood. Many times this is done in church, but Joann and I will perform this at home to enjoy a more intimate setting with family and close friends.

Tag (left) and Pack Brinton (right).

Both Jordan and Michael have made the trip, which has brought a smile a mile wide from Joann.  I am sitting here pondering about my 2nd son and what I might say to a little person I have just met. So far all I really know about Pack is that he loves his mother and is the happiest when he's nursing.  He doesn't care for formula or binkies, but he loves to take a bath.  He also seems to really like his older brother Tag, because even when Tag is being a bit rough with him, he smiles at him and patiently endures Tag's hugs, pushes, bumps and kisses.


Since recently learning the skill, Pack is generous with his smiles and I sense he will be a happy person, but perhaps a bit more reserved than his older brother.  Tough to say at only 3 months old.


Pack is named after his great, great Grandfather (I think), named John Pack.  John was an early leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Grandpa John was a captain of the Nauvoo Legion and was also a policeman. He was in the first company to cross the plains with Brigham Young and his likeness is part of the famous "This is the place" monument, where he is mounted on his horse just behind the Prophet.

One of my favorite pieces of history about John Pack was that the The University of Deseret, the predecessor of the University of Utah, was begun in his home.  Go Utes!
It's a little pressure-filled to be responsible to give a baby blessing, although my role is to really just humbly use the Priesthood to lay my hands on him, give him a name and allow the spirit to direct my words.  I mean, no pressure, right?


I feel Pack knows our family and was prepared to come to us. I feel like he is an old soul who will be an example to us and his older brothers, despite how bad Joann and I screw things up as parents. I feel like he will be a leader and have a toughness about him that will carry him far.  These are just glimpses I have as I look into his little eyes.


I pray the Lord will inspire me tomorrow to give a blessing worthy of Pack's noble entrance into our family.