It's all in the message....

Just to document some of life's happenings, this blog is truly a gift. I have a chronological account of my children, some months more frequent posts than others, nonetheless, a documented history. Today is no different, a few words on the changes among Kaitlyn and Dylan, a few surprises, milestones and of course comparisons to note how different they each are!

Kaitlyn launched into the alphabet the other evening when getting ready for bed and for the first time E V E R I hear Dylan singing along. He had it just about nailed, all sang with his deep voice in a grunting rendition of letters. He beamed to be singing alongside his sister. Potential for a duo in years to come? I wouldn't be so surprised if each of them pursued an instrument and/or vocal practice as they respond so well to music. Dylan, especially, is intrigued by instruments. Kailtyn has her days but limits her musical inquiry with fierce opinions and short attention. We'll see what it may amount to.

Copycat syndrome. Did Kaitlyn start this trend? It's a common occurrence around bedtime. She will copy everything I say as she laughs and displays a mischievous grin. I can hardly take it at this time of the day, as generally my patience is tapped, I feel behind and burdened with what lies ahead for my night after their bedtime which that ritual alone can bring me gray hairs. In any case, Copy Cat Kaitlyn appears. Now I see that Dylan is the same. It's not a mimic of me, but rather of his sister down to body language. The poor guy. I wonder if he even thinks for himself sometimes.

Saving grace: I found this shape sorter APP and added it to both the iPad and iPhone today. These two kids are mesmerized by it and thankfully, since it's the same APP, maybe playing a different shape sort, they each are learning, gaining dexterity skills, focusing and in all honesty, they are quiet. Dylan surprised me with his success in matching shapes-Kaitlyn of course was making leaps and bounds narrating her accomplishment with each shape reveal. Oh boy! I really have two children that represent both ends of the spectrum.

Dylan has been AWESOME in preschool. His teacher is an absolute Blessing-because of this the transition from Mommy to classroom is a breeze. Plus, he really wants to be there. He carries his lunchbox into school every day while Kaitlyn leaves it on the sidewalk and says, "Mom, I don't want to carry it. YOU carry it." And then she darts away. Having them both together adds to my confidence in his being there. If he was the older sibling starting school first, I think the experience would be traumatizing. BUT, he's been tagging along for over a year and a half for drop off and pick up and so it's only right that he appears to be more seasoned. All the students in his class know his name and know that I'm Dylan's mom. It's super darn cute!

Kaitlyn has been terrific with being the BIG SISTER to Dylan. She instantly goes from fend for your own self to possessive sister once noticed on campus. She's a bit of a drama queen...okay, she is THE drama queen or maybe I should be more appropriate and say she's a stage hog! She loves attention and the more people notice that Dylan is now going to school, the more she is right next to him as the BIG SISTER role. It's hilarious to watch this behavior unfold! She LOVES attention....

...And, LOVES attention so much so that I am realizing I don't give her enough of that quality attention she'd get if it was just her and not her current 'Share Mommy' reality! In her eyes, I'm constantly with Dylan....and truth be told. I probably am. If my children read this when they are older (which may happen)...here is it: Kaitlyn, I do struggle with showing my love for you, instead, it's easier for me to say it. Dylan sucks the physical touch out of me naturally so it's an obvious observation to assume I love him more. BUT, to you both, should you be blessed to become parents in this lifetime of yours, you will come to find that love you have for your spouse is one type of love. The love you have for your first born child becomes a different love and the love for your next child is that first born child love, but on steroids. Our heart has a capacity to love each of you beyond imaginable. My job is to figure out how to ensure you experience this unique love for YOU, and not feel shadowed by the love I have for other people/things! For the record...I love you both, individually and quite immensely!

xoxooxox

New Year for New Change

This year I will be 35.

This year Kaitlyn will be 4.

This year Dylan will be 3.

This year Steve will be .... hmmm. Well, we will both be more gray.

I could easily write a novel, sparing no chapter, to capture the events in the Patterson household over these last two months. But, seriously? Who has time to do such a thing when your nights are sleepless, screaming and cat fights become the house white noise and doing dishes is more than a chore, it's a full time job! I've signed up for sibling rivalry battles that start at daybreak and end when the children slumber. Dylan has developed a sour face and won't budge when he wants something...yes, the broken record type of asking. Kaitlyn loves to teach what she knows and of course decode Dylan's conversation, reporting to me the very important statements he makes.

I'm forever amazed at the love these two have for each other and then amazed at the mere fear they give each other when one pushes force first, pinches, scratches or my favorite, grabs by the neck. Oh the physical love is displayed quite aggressively some days!

Dylan got his first pair of underpants this past December. He was pretty enamored about the whole thing, seeing Thomas the Train below his belly or on his rear left him speechless and all smiles. We haven't tackled potty training yet-or at least where it's a priority. I secretly think this child will stay in diapers for another two years if we'd let him. BUT, Dylan starts preschool on Tuesday and it's here that I know his relationship with the porcelain bowl will start! They offer potty training as if it's part of the curriculum!

Kaitlyn still doesn't wear earrings, but asks for diamond rings. She sports leggings and won't wear jeans. She will wear any branded princess or fairy shirt for days on end and will shiver at a simple shirt with ruffles. She can buckle herself in her carseat and thank GOD can't unbuckle. She loves to teach Dylan about anything and everything that she has already learned. For this I am grateful...but then she also loves to act like me and boss him around incessantly. I often have to intervene and remind her that I'm the mommy! For the longest time it was all about mermaids and now it's pretty much all Princess Patterson here. She had a day trip to Disneyland with Steve and cousin Natalia...this sealed the deal. Her fantasy world blossomed in eight hours and more so than ever before, if it's blue, it must be Cinderella's. Yes, that means she'll drink out of the blue cup-Dylan will be subjected to the pink one. It's that simple.

Kaitlyn will get sucked into a TV show and Dylan will not. Kaitlyn will focus on art projects as if performing surgery...she's very particular and detailed. Dylan will shove markers into his mouth, pound the table with the crayons and for no particular reason at all, dump all baskets of toys onto the floor to then walk away. It's fun, real fun!

Dylan actually cuddles. He will get his head nestled into my neck/shoulder and even place his arm around me when I'm laying with him for nap time or bedtime. Kaitlyn will either grab my hand to hold or just ask that I lay down near here. She's sort of over the cuddling days-she's got too much exploring to do. Dylan wakes up at 6 or 6:30 daily. Kaitlyn could sleep til 8:30 daily, if I'd let her (or if Dylan would let her)!

My moments with Kaitlyn have improved tremendously. We get a kick out of girl days together, or just crafting. She's been responding to my direction much better than months ago-but she still finds ways to test my patience and as of lately, really challenge my upset meter. I get livid when I see her bully her brother. I just sense this tough chick mentality forming and then see this angry Kaitlyn show up. It's not pretty. I have to remind her that her behavior is not of the Kaitlyn that I know....this generally can snap her out of her mood...but boy does it get ugly! And of course Dylan, the biggest mimic in the house, just dishes it all right back. So not only do I have one sour Kaitlyn, but two sour Kaitlyns when Dylan mimics.

If they could answer....

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Dylan it's frozen blueberries, juice box, and trader joe's granola bars. Kaitlyn it's Kraft Mac & Cheese (yes, has to be this brand) and salad.

Q: Favorite cartoon character?

A: Dylan would jump to anything with Curious George. Kaitlyn would thrive if her only friend was any of the following: Super Why or Team UmiZoomi (and the princesses speak for themselves).

Q: Most recent tender moment.

A: Dylan asks if I'm ok after I cough. Kaitlyn stops time when eating side by side at a restaurant and gazes into my eyes, places her arm around my neck ever so gently and tells me she loves me.

Q: If I could have one...

A: magic wand to wave and all dishes would be put away, floors would be mopped and toys would be picked up, I'd be a HAPPY mommy all the time!

Q: Marshmallows...

A: Dylan simply looks at the empty mixer bowl and asks, "Momma, can I have some marshmallow, please?" Kaitlyn could live off marshmallow puff if I'd let her. I could probably too...so Biggest Loser here I come!

Q: Baby Jesus...

A: Kaitlyn knows we celebrate the birthday of Baby Jesus on Christmas and that Jesus wishes for all the good girls and boys to have gifts in His honor so He commissions Santa to help with the distribution! So glad we can add a little faith teaching in the midst of our fairly secular life....slowly this is changing. The kids and I started attending a nearby Lutheran Church for the catechism program-been superb to date!

Here's to a New Year of opportunity to learn as a mom, to grow with my children, to become a better person! This year will be better than 2011, anything will be better than 2011!

9 feet of sheer purple...

That's how she went to bed. Nine feet of sheer purple fabric hanging off her head. Kaitlyn is obsessed with having long hair and finds that wearing mommy's scarves or as of tonight, scrap fabric is the way to fully enjoy the frill of Rapunzel like hair. It's been a good bribe when having to brush her tight curls-I often say, "If you want long hair you must take care of the hair that you have so it can grow; otherwise I will just cut it off". No matter the attitude of the moment, she will snap into a submissive daughter fully ready for me to tug and comb through her knots (which are abundant no matter the time of day...her hair is THAT curly)!

Dylan has become possessive. Of course possessive of me but that's been going on since birth. Now it's all about his pillow. When laying down to bed or nap time with him he gets real serious about your positioning and will literally by use of his hand, draw an air line of a boundary indicating where his pillow ends and where you may lay your head. It's funny and quirky at the same time but a very serious issue for him. I like the strength in his ability to set boundaries already at the age of two...

And speaking of two, this boy acquired another year and another reason to further cling onto me. He woke up on Friday, the 28th of October and has been in a hyper Mommy Hold Me mode that often plays out like this:

Drags his body as he makes a monkey hold around my thigh begging for me to "Hold You, Mommy, Hold You"

or my favorite,

Grabbing the bottom of my shirt and tugging, pulling, tugging more, not letting go as I walk around.

C'mon boy, I'm two inches from the little one and it's not close enough. There really is truth behind the phrase, "Mommy's Boy". One day it won't be so cool and he'll be begging to be dropped off on the corner of the street as to not be seen with me!

Kaitlyn continues to be Miss Bossy, Miss 'Sours' (her word for my word, Sassy), and borderline obsessive compulsive with how she wants her bedding to lay upon her. She will spend a few minutes tossing her blanket into the air over and over to get the right positioning onto the bed and once under she is known to kick and scream to only start the process all over again. No-in case you are wondering, I cannot help with this. That is yet another cause for tantrum. We have our hands full with this girl. She's been knee deep into wailing these days and I'm not talking about a developing interest in whales...but rather, a developing issue with wailing requiring a great deal of P A T I E N C E.

Kids require PATIENCE I never knew existed within me. Actually, I think patience was a word defined by a mother for truly this word has great application and gets maximum usage daily. My patience is often tested within the first 30 minutes of rising from a slumber. While the initial hello of Kaitlyn's morning is generally very soft spoken and sweet, maybe includes a kiss or hug, once Dylan is over his morning bear attack, umm, I mean bear hug on Kaitlyn, the sibling rivalry begins and is ever so loud. Forget it, I'm going public. Sorry Dear Husband, I can no longer keep our children quiet so you can get sleep (thank God Steve typically sleeps through all lion roars and Princess pitches).

It's been a fun few weeks of adventure. To capture a few great moments...take a peek at the following:

Post Halloween, trying out all the candies!

Mr. Fisherman

(Steve followed the kids with Kaitlyn's Barbie fishing pole

and would say that he was fishing for Mermaids and Sharks-huge hit).

When answering the door. Well, okay, maybe not.

Super Star.

That face!

Surely they would win 'Best Spirit' on the block for themed family trick/treating.

Their 1 year old daughter was Horton from Horton Hears a Who.

Backside of Fairy Princess Mermaid and Shark.

Frontside of costume-Kaitlyn had to carry her tail!

In line to see Sir Topham Hatt from Thomas the Train.

Dylan was glued to him from the moment we stepped into line.

High fives were exchanged, holding hands was favorable...

and still for the camera these kids looked miserable!

Look, it's Thomas the Train!

Off he goes....!

Uncle Benet chilling with Super K!

Great face 1.

Great face 2.

Ahhh.

In line waiting to board the train.

His great face.

His great lips.

Post train ride. Not sure who was most happy...me, Unlce Benet or the kids.

...and there you have it.

It's another report of random notes, rich with personality and obvious highlights in our life! Enjoy the cliffnotes...

Our sweet Kaitlyn has no fear. Snakes, reptiles and the like were a part of her summer program at school in early August. She was quick to volunteer for holding one of the visiting reptiles! (Photo was taken by a teacher and sent to me as she was overly impressed by Kaitlyn's curiosity)!

The sun was beating down with great intensity. The MOMS Club took a hike in August up the street from our home to really just wear out the children. We didn't get too far, maybe a quarter of a mile...but the energy expenditure did the trick! Naps for all, including myself!

Sassy by daylight, and even sassy by nightfall.

Driving by my brother's neighbor, and here you go, the community Bison making his friendly way to the front garden for mid-day grazing. West Yellowstone was such a highlight to our summer, this is just one of many photos...the wildlife is surreal.

She drew this mermaid and said Grandma would like it because of the blue and peach. The hair is supposed to be long and flowing like Rapunzel (her latest craze....it's lasted well over a month, an obsession with wanting long hair).

Us girls celebrating our friend's daughter, Brylie, first birthday.

Hanging with Papa for National Grandparent Appreciation Day...

And here is Grandma...

Great Grandma, we love you! PS. The monkey body art is from the earlier celebration at our neighbors party!

Dylan at the LA County Fair-a bit serious for this riding horse!

Raspberry picking with our friend, Daniel, at the end of September up at Riley's Farms. Not one raspberry made it to the car. We were at the end of the season, but still picked quite a few!

I thought they were in bed, sound asleep. I heard laughter and when I peeked in, this was worthy of a photo. Notice Dylan in a tutu? Real fun night, for them at least!

Kaitlyn is our house artist, she crafted this one fairly quickly and titled it Bread. Must be influenced by Grandma's bread baking!

Can't let this go unnoticed! 80's night for Steve's CEP conference in Vegas, early October. He went preppy, complete with the pegged pants (see below). I went classy 80's if there is such a thing and sported the worst ever rayon pleated & tapered elastic waisted pants. But, make up and hair....not so bad despite how bad the photo is!

Hanging at the park in God's biggest tree in Rancho Cucamonga, for sure!

So, there you have it. A few highlights of the kiddos and even a shot of me, despite the transformed blue eyes! I will leave you with a few statements made by Kaitlyn today:

"I won't pick my nose and eat my burgers any more mom." She said this as I was painting her fingernails. It was always my rule, I won't paint her nails if I see her eat her burgers. I've noticed a great improvement, so I offered to paint them tonight. This is her style: Big Toe is hot pink. All four other toes are purple. Fingers: Thumb is hot pink. All four other fingers are purple. Interestingly enough, her 17 year old cousin, Talia, paints her ring finger a different color then the rest of her fingers. I just learned this last week...are these two girls related or what!

She came whimpering out of her bedroom tonight saying that no one was in her room to protect her. We go through this almost nightly. I told her that Jesus and Mary will protect her because they are everywhere, in fact, they are even in her heart. And...without a missed beat, she launches into"But mommy, my heart is broken."

Dylan is pooping consistently in the potty. He asks for it and then once situated on it, he's a pooping machine. I think having an older sibling is helping as every time Kaitlyn has to use the potty, he cries out of frustration that, he, too, has to use it and doesn't like that she is occupying it!

Krammie the Caterpillar

Kaitlyn has a love for all things tiny that slither, slide, hop, roll or crawl in the comfort of our yard. Today her adopted friend was named Bella, then a series of other names as the day progressed, until she finally was satisfied with Krammie the Caterpillar. This little bugger was given royal treatment. She carried him faithfully around the yard, made a bed for him, gave him exercise opportunities (let's just say the intention was good but the method was painful to watch-she was banging his bowl that was his 'bed' onto the window repeatedly....oh my). At one point Dylan got a hold of Krammie and this is where his life began to fail. Dylan pinched life out of him literally and so as the afternoon fell into nightfall, Krammie was found limp and already into the preliminary stages of gangrene. Kaitlyn didn't care, in fact she still held him with high regard and such care. Finally she was convinced he would be better off on his own and that she would find another friend. Well, that didn't last long, either. Within minutes she was holding him and providing him such love as if this force of energy would perk him up once again. In bed saying prayers, Krammie was included!

I wonder what will be in store for us tomorrow. My feeling is that Krammie died many hours ago so he'll probably be right where she left him.

A refreshed outlook....

Sometimes growing pains are really just that, growing pains. I would summarize the blur of recent months as being rich with growing my two growing pains, but then I'd dismiss the actual moments of joyful expressions, the heartfelt sentiments and general tender sweetness that both Kaitlyn and Dylan possess regularly. Like so many other areas of our lives, the negative encounters cloud all blue skies. When you no longer see that beautiful monochromatic azul throughout your horizon, or even speckled here and there, you are in trouble. Thankfully I was re-grounded a couple of weeks back and seem to only celebrate the blue coming at me from all angels directly from Heaven! Lovely, really. Just lovely.

So on that over the top note, may I shed some light on moments worthy of celebrating!

Dylan has pooped a few times in the potty and lets me know daily when he needs to poop prompting the opportunity to sit on the toilet, pretend pushing as if he is really pooping, flush and say goodbye to all the make believe poop and pee. It's quite the routine. He has skipped using any potty training seat/device and sits directly on the toilet that you and I sit on. Yes, he is a big boy. For the record, there is an occasional push that does produce a poop, like earlier today!

Kaitlyn, after making her a cheese quesadilla that had a little apricot preserves spread like butter within, said to me, 'Mom, you are just the greatest. This is the best.' Is this really my child? Last week at Costco, as if struck by the Kindness Bolt, she wrapped her arms around me and said, 'I just love you so much mommy.' Makes me think some child at school does this to their parents regularly and thus she is adopting this practice??? No matter what the inspiration, the mere fact it is verbalized made me swell within...I felt like my insides just might burst from an overload of warm fuzzies.

Dylan tried putting on his own shoes the other day. Just like his sister. Today he did put on shoes, but not his own...her mini high heeled pink princess shoes with feathers and faux diamonds (along with her teal sunglasses and hot pink/silver purse)-it was a sight!

Kaitlyn can really test boundaries, and she does so frequently! However, she has begun this new phase of obedience...at least I'm classifying it as such. When I hold firm on my stance for something simple like telling her to wash her hands, head upstairs for the bath, etc...it may take three times for it to register through that I'm not succumbing to her 'pretending to not hear you mommy' behavior. She will all of a sudden state, "Ooooooooohhhhhkaaaaaay Mommy," and head to her task. I must say it gets me boiling sometimes but the second she launches into the "Ooooooooohhhhhhhkaaaaay Mommy" gig I'm fully satisfied and officially accomplished!

"I wanna help." Dylan. This is his mantra right now. It's borderline annoying so when I feel this angst creep inside me I take a breath and give thanks that I have a child who wants to be so engaged with what's happening in my world and around. His favorite tasks right now are: vacuuming, doing dishes, mixing things in a bowl at the counter, sweeping and loading the wash. Kaitlyn is completely opposite. I will ask if she'd like to help with something and very frank she will respond with, "I cannot help today. No, maybe tomorrow." I count my blessings-at least one of two is eager!

Needless to say there is much to celebrate despite Kaitlyn chucking a baby walker toy down a flight of stairs while Dylan was on the stairs; the two of them tackling each other like opposing football teams complete with bite marks, face scratches and hair clumps; the indoor screaming matches and the all time favorite....grab the toy from the other and run....run everywhere until crying is heard and either someone has a bruiser or blood is shed. It's a jolly life over here at the Patterson household. I'm lucky I somehow stay out of the crossfire-and truth be told, I am really lucky. These children are such little gifts, I'm constantly reminded at how precious they are, how beautiful they are, and how blessed I am for being their mother!

Vintage GLAM

Her school had this photo session one day back in June...I wasn't there for it, but wish I could have been that fly on the wall. These are ADORABLE!