Cutie pie Kai...the Momma's boy!

I'm a tad scared to write this with the fear that I'm ginxing myself...
I am loving the age of 4 the most so far. I really had a hard time with 3 and was anxious for it to be over. But, good news folks, it seems that 4 is just that much closer to a reasonable, understanding human being. Kai still has his moments, for sure, but instead of taking 6 months for him to get over a new behavioral problem - it takes about 3-4 wks. He can process and think a little bit before he acts and that makes a HUGE difference. With that said, today will probably be an all time hard day with him, but he deserves some props, I think. Not to be corny, but he is really a good, passionate little boy. More than anything, he has become a little Momma's boy in the past year or so. His first two years of life he was obsessed (understatement) with Jared, and he didn't care for me too much. it was rejection central for me. LAME! But now, we have the relationship I have always wanted with him. Please don't think I don't lose it with him daily, but on the whole he gives me a million cute, funny and proud things to reminise (sp) about each day. Nice work, Kai! You are a cutie pie!

A little taken back...

Well, before I ever had a little girl I thought that they were more mellow than boys, they played with toys quietly, they listened intently to their mommies, sang to themselves at times, hated jumping, climbing, running, etc. Could I have been more wrong? It seems in my case I am! Kai has always been energetic and I've learned to keep up with him. Then, Payton came along and she was so mellow her first year that we all but forgot she was there at times. However, recently she has taken on a new persona. Or, is her independance just not in harmony with my mothering needs/way/must haves? She learned the word "NO!" at about 13 months (a good 7 months before Kai figured that one out) and hasn't gotten tired of it yet. She wants to do everything herself since she was about 14 months (even if she wasn't any good at it). She tries to keep up with Kai physically (which is absurd, really, and she almost kills herself everytime). And, finally, she hates shopping of any kind and I'm realizing that I am entering the 'don't go anywhere' zone. I mean, is this normal? Christa, I feel your pain and it's not over til about 5, I think! Ironically, Kai has entered into a more obedient phase and is, on the whole, very concerned with my approval. He's sweet and "wants me to be happy" and can reason most of the time. So, with that said, at least he'll be understanding when I tell him we can't leave the house cause his baby sister is too hard to handle, eh? (p.s. I have no idea why this is underlined and I can't figure out how to fix it. Any thought?)

Twins?

SO, I just took this picture of Payton after her bath and put it in a frame in our family room. I had to laugh cause right next to it was this picture of Kai with almost the exact same look on his face! They are both probably thinking,"Lady, I don't have any clothes on...is this really a good time?" But, if anyone has looked around my house they'd know that those little baby shots are my fav(that sounds bad, but it's really not)! I was seriously taken back by how much they look alike here. Payton is about 6 months older than Kai is in these pictures, but the genes are strong here, I think. When I look at the two of them in these shots I can't believe they are both mine. Anyhow, I'm sure this moment has been felt by every mom around. I don't know why, but it made me all warm inside to see how much they resemble each other.