This is the Story of Gus and Sam...and Sadie

Sadie

September 8, 2010

6 pounds, 15 ounces and 19.5 inches

Three Beginnings

In a matter of a couple of weeks, Sam started kindergarten on a very, very rainy day in August.

He got right to work at school and has been a trooper ever since. He even likes to do his homework and seems to enjoy getting ready and going in the mornings. No complaints about getting dressed so far!

Next, Gus will start preschool TOMORROW. He's nervous about going and says he doesn't want us to leave him. It will be hard to leave his sweet face, especially if he is crying real tears...

...but we HAVE to because after we drop him off at his first day of preschool we are heading to the hospital to have his baby sister! It's going to be a big adjustment for both boys, but especially for Mr. Gus, I think. Here's hoping (and praying) that these three beginnings continue to go smoothly as one embarks on "real school", the other on preschool and the third on life.

If the Shoe Fits

It's funny how similar and how different two brothers can be. Ozzie just got home from work and Sam and Gus were equally excited. "Daddy, daddy!" they both exclaimed over and over before he was even out of his truck. Gus jumped up from the table where he was having lunch and ran out the garage door to greet his daddy in the driver. He slammed the door behind him. Sam ran from the table to the "shoe bucket" and carefully put his Crocs on then he ran out the garage door -- slamming the door behind him. And the nature v nurture debate goes on...

Just Gus

Sam has been in camp for the past 4 weeks and Gus has really been missing him. It's been a challenge for me to keep Gus entertained from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. each day while Sam's away exploring rain forests and space especially as I have less and less energy.
This morning we dropped Sam at camp and headed to the park. He put on his brand new bike helmet and climbed in the jogging stroller and as we walked he flew his airplane (that our beloved Mrs. Lawrence had given him when we dropped off Sam. It was the project of the day at camp). As he flew the plane he'd yell, "One, two, four, seven, eight, BLAST OFF!" It's so fun to listen to him as he learns to count. We walked past the little train that he so desperately wanted to ride, but we couldn't today. They won't let pregnant mommies ride the train. So, instead he agreed that we could walk along the tracks and look for the train. We found it and we waved to Mr. Conductor. We walked to the sheds and watched another Mr. Conductor fixing an engine. Then we turned around and walked back toward one of two of the water spritzers that are fabulous for cooling off. He asked me to turn on the spritzer then turned his head away as the water covered him in a light spray. When it finished, he looked up and said "Again." Again and then, again, he scrunched his face and looked away. Next we went up and down the bike hills and to a pavilion where we stopped so he could get out and play with his airplane stretch his legs a bit. I did some triceps dips and push ups while he played and then fed him two (yes, two) things of yogurt. "Mmmmm. Blueberry," he said when he got to the second container. Back in the stroller we stopped at the train station where Mr. Conductor asked about Sam -- he hasn't seen him in awhile. I promised he'd come for a train ride soon -- as soon as his daddy could bring him. We ran into some other friends and chatted with them for a bit and then went through the other spritzer. Around the lake and to the ice cream shop where we stopped for a cone. Chocolate chip with chocolate sprinkles is what Gus picked for himself. After a quick rinse off in the bathroom sink we started to head back to the car when we ran into some more friends. We played on the playground with them and then finally found our way back to the car...it was a three-hour park adventure. "I don't want to go home," Gus said as we got in the car, but when we got home he wanted to climb on the couch, put his head on a pillow and snuggle up under a blanket. No complaints from me. I love these special moments with my sweet bear.

No Photos Necessary

One of my fondest childhood memories is digging up potatoes with my brother Michael and Grandpa Workman on the hill behind their house. I couldn't believe that my grandfather had grown these potatoes...that it was possible for just an average person to GROW potatoes. Of course, I know now that Grandpa Workman was nowhere near average and that he had been an honest-to-goodness farmer before I came along. But that day, on that hill it was like magic digging into the ground and pulling up real potatoes that we could actually eat. Grandpa was so tickled by my amazement each time I found a potato or each time I asked for reassurance that we really could eat them. There was also a wonderful satisfaction in finding those buried treasures and a wonderful comfort in the feeling that my grandpa was so magical.

I was reminded of that long-ago potato adventure today when my father -- Gus and Sam's Grandpa Workman -- stopped in for an unexpected visit. Gus looked up from his dinner and said, "Grandpa," with a shy smile and Sam ran over from the couch to give his grandpa a big hug. Eventually, and not surprisingly, we all ended up outside. We walked the yard of the new house and discussed plans for removing exotic and bringing in native plants. We eventually ended up by an old cement pad that we're told once housed a shed. Ozzie said we'd probably just tear it out and I said I had thought we could put a basketball hoop there for the boys. Soon, we were all picking up and stacking old stones that had been covered from years of growth. We pulled a few weeds and discussed our plans for our new basketball "court". Some of the stones -- which we planned to use out front -- were too embedded to pull up by hand. "Those are going to need a shovel," said Ozzie and Daddy said, "I happen to have one," and before I noticed he was gone, he was back and using the shovel to peel the rocks from the earth. Sam and Gus were close by and at the ready to move and stack the stones. Then they both clamored for the opportunity to use the shovel as well. And their Grandpa Workman was patiently amused with them just as mine had been with me. He helped them stack bricks that Ozzie dug up and then he dug up grass that had overgrown onto the cement as Sam hauled it all to a pile. Before long we'd cleared the outline of the court and the better part of two hours had passed by. The last hours of the day that are usually full of fighting and fussing flew by peacefully in the unseasonably cool breeze which we enjoyed while we worked. Were we working? It sure didn't feel like work. Alas, it was time to return to our routine and get the boys in the bath tub. As we said our goodbyes, that's when the potato memory came back to me and I was thinking how lucky my boys are to have a Grandpa Workman...just like I was. And then, I wished I had thought to grab my camera and snap a few pictures. But, then, I don't have any photographs of the day we dug for potatoes and that memory remains clear as a picture for me.

Happy Birthday, Grandma Carol! And a Tiny Update (Finally!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDMA CAROL!

Today we celebrated Grandma Carol's birthday by having our first swimming lessons of the summer. Sam did great, Gus not so much. Neither of them want to get their faces wet. My goal is to have them both swimming by the end of the summer. Well, Sam anyway. Maybe by the end of summer Gus will at least not cry in the pool.

Now both boys are resting on the couch. Sam not feeling great and Gus exhausted from not swimming. A nice thunder storm is brewing and I love watching the rain come in off the river. I have to go get the laundry going and unpack some boxes! How are there still boxes?!!?

Ozzie celebrated his mother's birthday by coming in first place after day one of the Flatsmaster's Redfish Tournament. So, he'll be celebrating the day after by fishing again instead of mowing the lawn. Hooray. Ozzie will tell you that mowing the new lawn is a heinous experience!

Speaking of the lawn...we love the new house. However, moving and getting settled has been keeping all of us very busy so there's not much time for blog updating. Sorry Grandpa Barry. We know you check for updates. I think I'm to a point where the updates can come more regularly now...at least until your granddaughter arrives in September. Oy! In the meantime, some pictures will have to do.

Carol, we'll call you to say Happy Birthday when Ozzie gets home from the tournament.

xoxo

This is the day before Sam's FIFTH birthday in March! Look at how cold it was in March!

Sam got a butterfly house for his birthday. We grew butterflies from the larval stage until the full butterfly stage and then released them. The boys LOVED watching the process.

Sam's last day of preschool! Gus will have his first day here in September.

Gus enjoying the new yard. He's at the top of a mini-hill that he LOVES to run down and up and up and down.

Last week the boys got haircuts! Where did all Gus's curls go? Never fear. They are already starting to grow back. And, Sam is soooooo tall!

Donuts With Grandpa

Sam's school had Donuts for Dads in February. Ozzie had to work so Grandpa Workman filled in for him. Sam was thrilled his Grandpa was coming to his school and was delighted to show him around. Gus was sad that he wasn't able to stay and play, but he did get to be in the picture. And, as Aunt Sally says, his time will come.

And Gus is TWO! How Did That Happen?

So, three weeks ago today, my little bear turned two! I just can't believe it!

We had a very small party with family and just a few friends. Originally, I'd intended to have a big party for him, but we had a change of plans and we put together a small celebration at the last minute. Of course, a party isn't a party without a favor, so we passed out Lolli-PUPS to go with our theme.

And, a puppy cake! Got to love the Publix Bakery. And yes, this cake was mostly all frosting. I'm not sure I got an actual piece of cake with my frosting.

The sweet two-year-old still talks about his puppy cake.

Happy Birthday, Dear Gussy Bear! Happy Birthday to you!

Sam was a BIG help opening presents. Presents? We did put no gifts on the evite, but nobody paid any attention to that.

Finally, it wouldn't be a birthday without just a little more puppy cake (frosting) and Cheerios before Night-Night!

Oh, Babiest Boy, we love you so much. You are sunshine and delight each and every day of our lives and these past two years have been a dream -- a dream that moves much, much too fast, but a sweet, wonderful Gus-filled dream.

Sam's First TBall Game

Today was Sam's first Tball Game. It was a hoot! He did really well! He was nervous before we left this morning and said he was afraid he would hit the T instead of the ball. So we had to

explain to him that it's okay to make mistakes as long as he keeps trying. At the game it turns out that he did hit the T instead of the ball a couple of times and, you know what? He was fine

with it and he just tried and tried again. It's a great team and he has a great coach -- a friend of ours whose son is in Sam's class at school. It was a lot of fun to watch -- all the kids were fighting over the ball and piling up on top of each other. Some of them ran the wrong way, some of them (including Sam) spent a lot of time sitting on the field and some of them had meltdowns, but it was great fun and they were all good sports!

Check out that uniform:

Love this face:

Uncle Michael, Grandma and Gus came to watch the game:

SWING, Batter!

One of the pile ups:

Good Boy, Mommy

Last night, Gus wanted me to help him build a train track. So, he grabbed my hand and dragged me with surprising strength over to the track pieces. "Go, Mommy," he said as he pulled me along. He then pointed to the floor, "Sit." He repeated "sit" until I complied and then he said, "Good Boy, Mommy." He's so funny! He says the most amusing things. One of his favorite things to say is, "Ride in Daddy's car/truck/boat" or "Where Daddy go?". When Gus does have the opportunity to ride in Daddy's truck (his most favorite activity) he is so happy and will tell you all about it all day!

Today, Sam was playing with a garbage truck and Gus wanted to play with it too. I took Gus to the truck drawer and showed him all the other trucks he could play with. After I pulled out about six or seven of them he said, "Thank you, Mommy" with the sweetest sound of true appreciation in his deep little voice.

Tomorrow, Sam plans on having a lemonade stand and I've sent out email requests in hopes that we'll have some lemonade purchasers.

Every day is an adventure.

Birthday Brick

Last March for his birthday two of our family friends gave Sam his very own engraved brick to be placed near the train station at our local park -- they have one of those mini-trains and the boys LOVE to ride it. When Sam's not in school we spend a lot of time on the train. Anyway, after much ado and almost a full year later, the brick has FINALLY been placed.

And, it will be something Sam can treasure always.

Even if he does, as my father predicts, have to scuba dive down to visit it once the results of Global Warming have taken hold of Florida and sunk our dear state.

Why?

Gus's question du jour -- WHY? Isn't he a little young to start that? Of course, he's not yet two and he thinks he's four so silly me to wonder why...

Train Wreck

So, last week one of my dear, dear friends met me (and the boys) for coffee/diet coke after Baby Boot Camp. I haven't seen Kathy in years! Years! And, at one point we were a daily part of each other's lives. We had a lot of catching up to do in a short period of time. She'd only met Sam once before and this was her first introduction to Gus. "Tell me about them," she said. "What are their personalities?" So, I told her about Sweet Sam (who was running circles around the coffee shop). Similar in personality to her gentle boy whom she referred to as earnest. Earnest. I tried that on Sam and I liked the way it fit him. Kind. Loving. Smart as a whip and someone who doesn't miss a thing. He's always paying attention. "And, Gus..." I said and then paused. Gus, too, was circling the shop with wild abandon (I know, I know. Classy parenting on my part. It wasn't as bad as it sounds and we were practically the only ones in there. I'm pretty sure the guy with the head phones never knew we were there). It was during my pause that Sam flitted by and said to Kathy, "Gus is a train wreck!" and then he zoomed away laughing. Yep. That told Kathy more about my children and our life than I ever could in our hour-long, well-deserved and long-time coming, coffee-shop-reunion.

Wednesday is Garbage Day

We always look forward to garbage day at our house. It matters not what the boys are doing -- when they hear the truck coming down the street, they drop/stop whatever they are doing and run to the window to watch!

A Day Last Week

Sundown Last Night and Sun Up this Morning

So, Happy Hanukkah! We celebrated last night by lighting the candles. Of course, Sam was so sure they were going to set off the smoke detectors that he spent most of the lit-candle-time on the front porch eating popcorn. Periodically, he'd stick his head in and say, "Are they out yet?" Finally, we convinced him to come in and watch the pretty candles. And, the smoke detectors stayed silent! So, tonight we lit the candles again and he was much more participatory and really enjoyed watching the candles burn.

Gus is pretty much oblivious to the candles, but I'm okay with that. An almost-2-year-old and an open flame are not my idea of a good combination. Here he is running AWAY from me trying to take his picture with the candles and yes, those are Sam's feet running away too.

No presents yet, saving those for when Grandma Carol arrives Wednesday. Don't tell, but the boys are getting a train menorah! It's so cute! They'll get some chocolate too. I mean, really. What's Hanukkah without a little chocolate? Gus has already started on the chocolate! He's got a mild brownie addiction that I'm pretty sure he gets from both sides of the family. Here he is with his brownie pack that he demanded by saying, "More, more brown, brown."

This morning we ran another 5K race. The Reindeer Run!

Ozzie had a great time of 30:13. I was a little slower which is frustrating seeing as I'm the one who actually runs on a (semi)regular basis and he does not. At all. But, good for him and I'm glad he's going to races with us. It's so nice to have something the whole family can do together. Grandma pushed the kids in the stroller again and at the end both boys got out and ran across the finish line!

Sam even wore Grandma's number pinned to his shirt:

AND they came in third place in their age group so they got a medal! What a hoot! Beth and Michael were there today too. Beth ran and bested her last time by 10 minutes! Fantastic! Michael spectated.

The Family that Runs Together...

Forgot to mention that we all did the annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. Ozzie and I ran and the boys rode in the double stroller with Grandma at the helm. It was a great way to start the day and reminded us of how much we have to be thankful for...

Perfect Teeth

So, Sam and Gus rang in December with trips to the dentist. Gus had his first ever check up and he passed with flying colors! Seems my boy has perfect teeth. Excellent spacing -- which, I've learned, is fantastic for avoiding cavities. No need to floss, the dentist said. GREAT! Got to love a dentist who tells you not to worry about flossing.

The next day was Sam's turn. Sam's an old pro at going to the dentist at this point. He's been for three or four check ups and for an emergency trip due to some tooth trauma -- he knocked one of his front teeth back behind the other on the side of his bed. Ouch! But this was just a check up and it went as well as Gus's. He hoped up in the chair (with a little coaxing) and let the hygienist clean his teeth. The dentist came in and proclaimed that Sam has perfect teeth too -- I've heard this before, but never tire of it. Again, don't have to worry too much about flossing, but a little more with Sam than with Gus as Sam has more teeth and presumably eats more. Ha! If we're basing our need to floss on food consumption I may better reconsider the flossing policy for Gus.

Gus Makes a Bad Day Good

This morning didn't start out so well. Sam didn't want to get dressed for school and Gus didn't want to do anything but distract Sam. By the time we got out the door a half-hour late, we were all frazzled to say the least. In the driveway Sam refused to get in the car and Gus was spinning circles in the -- to make himself dizzy. It worked because he fell. Flat on his face. Poor guy emerged from the rocks with cuts and scrapes all around his eye. He was fine, but mad as a hornet. Finally we got Sam to school and instead of going to the park to run like we normally do, I decided I'd take Gus and my bad mood home. I hoped Gus would play quietly while I took a break. Gus loves to be the only kid home and have free access to the toys. I got him settled with some golf clubs and a ball and found myself a fudgesicle in the freezer and sat down on the couch to enjoy the fudgesicle and the (relative) quiet. I zoned out until pretty soon Gus was standing in front of me saying "Bite? Bite?" with the sweetest, most hopeful look in his eye. So, what could I do, but share my fudgesicle. He stood there enjoying the fudgesicle and between each lick he said, "Bite?" At one point he said, "All gone" and walked away. But instead of walking all the way away he walked around the coffee table to the other side of me and climbed up on the couch and backed himself in to sitting right up against me. He looked up at me and said, "Kiss" and gave me a big, fudgesicle smooch, smiled and said, "Bite?"
I couldn't help but laugh. I kissed his sweet curly-haired head and felt the bad day turn good.

No School Today

This morning, Sam woke up excited there was no school and ready to take his allowance (for keeping his jammies dry -- GO SAM!) to Target to buy a tank (don't ask). Sadly, Sam soon learned that in addition to and before going to Target he would have to come to exercise class with me and then go get a flu vaccine. He's not pleased and has since taken to my bed.