Mommy.... It's my favorite name

I often tell the kids in a joking way to “stop growing up” or after they do something that is helpful or have good behavior I’ll say, “how did you get so grown up?” they usually just laugh and love the praise and acknowledgement, not really saying anything in return. It is no secret that Jimmy talks A LOT! (I mean he NEVER stops) Sometimes in the mists of dinner, bath, bedtime, homework, the dog, grocery shopping, trying to talk to the hubs, it can get frustrating to never have a moment of silence when that little dude is around. He often moves down on his discipline chart at school for that very reason. When I pick him up from school to ask what color he ended on and his eyes drop. “I was talking to much again.” It’s frustrating and slightly amusing, but I worry about him going to Kindergarten. He is SO much different than his big brother, and I hate when people compare the two, Jake is stereotypical first child (not that that also doesn’t have its downfalls) and aims to ...

To My Jimmy, I hope you know how much Daddy and I love you.   I hope you know how much I cherish our “Jimmy/Mommy time.” It is seldom that you get to have Mommy and Daddy all to yourself, and the times you do are limited and few and far between. I love to have both of my babies with me, but I also know the importance of building a personal bond with both you and your brother individually.   Last night daddy was at a meeting and your brother was playing happily in the family room so I gave you a bath alone. Most nights you and Jake bathe together, it is easier for Mommy and you guys have so much fun together. But Jimmy I loved to see your smile when you looked around to see that you had the whole bath to yourself.   I loved how you soaked up the one-on-one attention from me. No big brother to squirt you repeatedly with the rubber football toy.   No one to overpower you by taking the toy you wanted. It was just you and me for a bit buddy!   You gave me you...