A Brother Milestone

Finally it happened. Opened Jones door to his room and instead of him being in the crib he's behind the door playing with White Bear and the door stopper. Fluke? Absolutely not. From then on it was the norm after every sleep. Being the responsible parents we are, we've finally managed to graduate Mr. Jones to a "big boy bed" 3 weeks later. Since it was an all or nothing kind of night we went with The Brother Milestone....and moved Max in with him! Jones can now get out anytime he wants, and gets to share a room with Brother. Life = never the same again.

I'll let my sisters attest to how lovely life is when sharing rooms with siblings.

Step 1: Move said un-assembled bed into room and unpack. Ask all house members that aren't visionaries to head downstairs.

Step 2: To reserve all man-hood....immediately find instruction manual and burn, solidifying your role as Father and supreme commander of castle.

Step 3: Find good labor. Tonight we went with what we had...although at times unproductive, his attitude was superb. Also never condescending and negative about Dad's perceived ability in furniture construction. 

Step 3 cont...

Also Step 3....quality help doesn't quit till the jobs done.

Step 4: Mattress Test. 32 lbs. repeatedly bounced will usually separate a good Serta from the one dad found at a garage sale for $2.

Step 5: Last but not least the trial run. Bed and mattress are working excellent. 

Boys are doing OK so far....the only thing they're missing is Ol' Dad. maybe next purchase will be a bunk bed so Dad can join them!

J

What do you LIKE?

Today I’m thinking about my LIKE differently. Bear with me even if you don’t have Facebook…

The pressure to LIKE something on FB comes from many sources. Who posted? What’s the content? Is it culturally popular to LIKE? Who will see that I liked it? FB has now made it possible to “LIKE” posts with more than a thumbs up . It’s almost too easy.

The ease (1 click) of liking something has made it possible to start trends, raise money and awareness, or sway points of view. While these can be powerful and good things, I’m afraid of the diluting. Of quantity ruining quality.

The temptation is to log on, like everything, and log off. But does that really tell anything about anyone. I’ve always held my mouse button in reservation and I’m more convinced than ever that the world is in a race to the bottom. A race to have the most likes, or be the one to like the most things.

Don’t let the powerful, impersonal connectedness of our world keep us from the engaging with people in a way that is lasting. LIKE the post if you want, but don’t trade it for a breakfast together. Or a phone call on the way home from work. Or a handwritten note. My favorite lately is Facetime, Skype, or a video message.

Bring your best to the interactions/relationships of your world, I’m saving my LIKES for when it supports my connection and isn’t my only connection.

J

Max Lyndan turns 1?!?!?!!!

The older I get, the faster 1 year goes- especially one's 1st year of life.

He's been an absolute delight of a child.. From an easy delivery on into this 1st year- he's been our sweet, sweet Max. 

Max and Liza are 5-6 weeks apart in age:) Cousins are such fun!

Max, in dad's baby outfit- I think we almost made grandma cry real, reminiscent tears that day.. 

In August when Max was just 4 months old I was hospitalized for 9 days.. the worst part of the whole ordeal was not getting to be with my lil sweet boys. Thankfully we had some wonderful people (including daddy) who brought Max up for snuggles.. I cried every time they left. Max was really good wherever he went while I was in the hospital and dad was trying to work- we're SO SO blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives to support us through hard times like that week and the months of recovery that followed. 

Poor Max, brother is always pestering him. 

And Lucky Max, brother is always snuggling him. 

He's the best dad.. 

Bath time is both boy's favorite thing.. 

Peanut Butter Kisses!

Happy, Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!!