Lazy Saturday Morning

The weather is still frigid here, thus we are still stuck in the house. This morning the Peas and I hung out in their playroom before naptime. They've gotten really good about playing with each other and having individual playtime too.

Marching for Babies, Marching for Ryan and Evan

It's time for the annual March of Dimes fundraising walk. Last year Team 2Peas participated in our local walk and raised over $250. This year our goal is to raise at least $500. March of Dimes is committed to conducting research that will help ensure that all babies are born healthy. Because of this organization, Ryan and Evan were able to receive surfactant to help their under-developed lungs when they were born 15 weeks too soon. Can you imagine what this world would be like without those two smiling little boys in the header of this blog? We surely can't, and everyday we are thankful for them. We know how blessed we are every single day. Please help us do our part in helping make sure the MOD continues its research to help babies like Ryan and Evan.

How can you help? We'd love to have you join Team 2Peas and walk with us on Saturday April 30th in Fairfield, CT. I am so happy that the walk is on a Saturday this year! Last year the walk was on Sunday, and you know we're supposed to be in church on Sunday morning! This year we hope many of our family and friends can join us. The walk is approximately 3 miles and the location is gorgeous! The best part? You'll get to spend the morning with Ryan and Evan--the stars of this show, at least in their mama's opinion! Please join us by signing up for our team. Just click on the banner at the top of the blog. This year I am planning on having t-shirts designed. We would love, love, love to have you there with us, and we'd really appreciate a donation as well. Stay tuned for details.

Can't make the walk? Donate to this very worthy cause by clicking on the banner at the top of the blog. You'll be taken to a secure site and your donation will be safe. If you'd like to mail a donation in, there will be an address and you should make checks/money orders made payable to the March of Dimes. Please let them know that you are donating on behalf of Team 2Peas, though. So many people who read this blog live outside CT, but you can still support us. We'll miss having you there in person, of course, but your donation will be greatly appreciated.

Can't make the walk or a donation? Please pray for us and for babies who are fighting for their lives each and every day. Pray for their parents' strength at such a difficult time. Pray for the doctors and nurses who care for these babies (and their families). Praise God for what He has done and is doing in Ryan and Evan's lives. If you read this blog then you've seen their smiles and heard their laughter. Think of this and know that there is a God and He is still in the miracle working business. Think of us on this day, would you please? We'll feel you there with us.

Day at the Museum

Ryan, Evan, Betty, and I spent the day at Stepping Stones Children's Museum one day this week. This post is way picture heavy, so I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

This smile on my little boy's face guarantees that we'll be headed back to Stepping Stones.

Dear Ryan,

Today you are twenty months old. I don't know where the time went, because it seems as if it was just yesterday that you were my little bitty baby. I can't imagine my life without you, my boy. You bring me so much joy and happiness just by being you. At twenty months old you love to read books. I mean you love it! This makes me so happy and proud. You love Brown Bear Brown Bear What do You See. You also enjoy touch and feel books. Right now your favorite is I See a Monster. You have a gentle, sweet spirit. You love to give hugs and kisses to the ones you love. The best thing is when I'm sitting and you come up to me and lay your head in my lap. It makes my heart melt every single time.

You are a pretty good eater and you take your time and enjoy your food. There's no rushing you through a meal! You love fruit, pasta, cheese, and crackers. You are growing so much and so fast! Your dad and I affectionately call you "Big Boy!" You know one thing that you do that makes me smile? You love to celebrate! When you do a job well done you belt out a loud, "I did it!" or "I got it!" and then you clap your hands so fast and hard! I think it's the most adorable thing!

You are my first born; the first one to make me a mommy. I don't have the words to express how much that means to me. I am in awe of you and how far you have come. I see you and I know that you will go far in this life. God has blessed you so tremendously. He has quite the plan for you, my boy. I promise to be the best mother I can be for you so I can do my part in helping you accomplish all that you are supposed to do. I am so proud of you and I love you so much, Ryan. The best part about you is everything.

Love,

Mommy

Dear Evan,

Today you are twenty months old. Twenty months! Time has gone by so quickly. It seems like only yesterday that you were born, and now you are a toddler, and a very active one at that. It seems that you are in constant motion. At 20 months old you love to play the drums, put your puzzles together, and read books. You talk so much that it's hard to keep up with all your new words! Recently you started saying "thank you" and "please." You still love to sing Humpty Dumpty and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. You are a pretty good eater. You love meat, pasta, and cheese. You love, love hot dogs! You aren't the biggest fan of fruit, but you have started trying it again.

I love everything about you, son. You are full of personality and charisma. This picture makes me smile because it is so you. The day this was taken we watched you climb into this drawer and sit in it. We asked you to get out of it, of course, but you only stood up and closed your eyes as if to say if I can't see you I can't hear you! You are hilarious! I laugh at you and your antics all day long, although I try not to let you see me! I love that you are fearless, that you are so friendly, that you go for what you want, and that you don't give up. I am so proud of you and how far you have come. I marvel at the wonder that is you. I can't believe that you were once a 1 pound little baby fighting for his life. I feel blessed each and every second of every day to be your mother. I sometimes think to myself why me? Why was I chosen to mother this miracle boy? This smart, funny, handsome little brown boy? I don't know the answer to that, but I know that I am grateful. I love you way, way more than you will ever know. When I'm driving home each day I get all giddy inside because I know that I get to come home to you. When you see me you get the biggest smile on your face and you hold out your arms for me to pick you up. It's always my pleasure. I can't wait to see what you will become. I know that you can do each and every thing that you set out to do. It's in you, son. The drive, the will to succeed. I am so proud of you. Here's to you my sweet, sassy boy. You are the best thing ever and don't you forget it.

I love you,

Mommy

Mall Fun

We decided to break out of our house despite all the snow (bleh) and head to the mall on Saturday. The weather has been so absolutely icky lately that we don't even think about taking the boys out in it. We were all overdue for an outing, so we braved the weather and had a blast.

First stop was the food court for lunch. My youngest child decided that his lunch would be much better if he took off one of his socks.


Ryan was waiting patiently for the grown folk to finish eating so he could go play.

And did he ever play! My boy had the BIGGEST smile on his face the entire time we were in the play area.

This one was a social butterfly, of course. Did I mention that he ran out of the play area three times? le sigh Good thing Auntie Fallon was in town for the weekend to help. This was certainly a job for two!

What shall I play with next?

My boy enjoyed the slide so much! We had to go up and down, up and down!

The spinning wall thingies were fun too.

It's impossible to get a decent picture of these two together anymore

I had to blur out the faces of the other kiddos, but would you look at my boy? I told you that somebody forgot to tell Evan that he is a little kid! He ALWAYS heads for the big boys. Evan is a force to be reckoned with, I tell ya!

I love to see them interact with other kids. They'll be just fine in daycare!

My sister is standing there guarding the exit so Evan wouldn't escape. Ryan tried it too. smh

We need some of these for the play room

duplicate

My sweet, sweet boy having fun

I love to see him smile

If there is something to be climbed you can count Ryan in!

He loved the slide and he waited so patiently for his turn

We really need some of these things!

Who knew there was so much to do at our local mall?!

Check out my ninja mama moves! I had to be ready to dart in any direction in the blink of an eye. Moms of one kiddo, you have no idea how easy you have it!

I needed this day with my boys. I needed to see them having so much fun and being so happy. We live five minutes from the mall, so we'll definitely come and let the Peas play on a regular basis. After this week I am on vacation, and I'm all ready planning all the fun things we can do!