The Dooz: Moving Fast

I really want to get on and make more journal entries, but by the time I attempt to handle the craziness that is being a parent of two little boys, I'm too tired to turn on my computer, let alone be purposeful in writing about it all.

On December 10th, Joann and I had to move out of the Horrock's home in Woodland Hills, as they returned home from their mission. Since all our belongings were in storage anyway, we decided to have an adventure and drive 26 hours to South Padre Island, Texas for the winter.  More on S. Padre on another post.

The drive wasn't as much torture as I predicted, but mostly because we weren't so anal about keeping the boys in the straight-jacket-like car seats required by American society these days. We are more than halfway through the stay and are only here another 3 weeks.  The time has flown by, but it's been so enjoyable to see photos and hear the complaints of our Utah friends who are stuck home dealing with all the snow.  So much so, that we have decided to leave the snow and move to St. George when we return.  Anyway, that's another story for another time.  Tonight, I want to highlight some of the goings on with our sons.

Tag and Pack are so much fun, that I don't really know how to communicate how lucky I feel to be able to travel with them to such a fun winter place.  Not only that, but to have work that offers me as much freedom as I have to play with them during this small window in time when they are learning and changing so quickly. I waited and toiled for so long to be a DAD, that I feel heaven has given me a unique chance to soak it all in.

My favorite people

Pack, aka Doozie, (14 months old) has discovered walking and I haven't seen him return to crawling for about 10 days now. Watching him attempt to chase Tag, walk in the sand, spin in circles, pick up a ball and return to standing, etc. is poetry in motion. He is a confident, daring, and stubborn child who knows what he wants and screams so loud when he wants it.  He loves balls of any size, just like Tag did, only I'm noticing that he may be a left-hander like me and his grandpa!  Grandpa would be so proud.

Being an older parent, I find I relish peace and quiet quickly, so unfortunately Pack's screams often get him what wants.  Yeah, yeah, I know this only encourages more of the bad behavior, but give me a break, I'm tired.  This loudness also makes him virtually impossible to bring to a restaurant, but we still love to go out and eat while on the island.

Pack often will be sitting on the counter in the kitchen with Joann and I'll hear, "Dada!" -- I'll look in his direction to find him smiling at me and trying to get my attention.  I'll look at him and we'll both smile and I'll look away and the game continues.  He is tiny and light (compared to Tag), making him so fun to engage in pillow fights on the bed.  He loves to climb on my back and have me play horsey and throw him off into the pillows.  He points at things he wants or places he wants me to take him, and gives a loud grunt -- "UUH!"  If I don't immediately comply, he gets louder.

Just yesterday, he learned how to say "Mom" and he is quick to say it when Joann is not around.  Oh, how he loves his Mom. Everywhere we go, people move in close to look at his baby blue eyes and try to be rewarded with his smile, which he doesn't give out to any Tom, Dick or Harry.  He's a very handsome child.  Often times, he will see Tag give "bones" to a stranger, which is the act of bumping fists.  Then he'll reach out his fist to the person and when the fist approaches, he withdraws his offering leaving the other person hanging.  I love this move.

Pack loves his older brother.  You can really tell.  He copies him, follows him, imitates him, and aspires to do what Tag does all day long.  The biggest fights we see are when Dooz sees Tag with a drink or a ball and he wants it for himself... NOW.  Or all hell breaks loose.  I've initiated a rule that Joann is not to give one of the boys a drink unless the other is offered the exact same drink in his own container.

Pack is much more daring than Tag was (and even is).  He'll go down a steep slide headfirst and grunt for more the minute he hits the bottom, even if he got banged up a bit on the way down.  I love this about him.

He loves to eat fruit and guacamole, and most other things, and when he doesn't want something, he has a funny, violent NO head shake that leaves no question as to what he doesn't want.

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