Tales from the Land of Boys: 2009

So Facebook has taken over my internet time. Which isn't really fair because it is nothing like blogging. It is not productive at all and does not help me to preserve memories of my kids in any way. Instead I play games, read what everyone else is up to and check out photos my friends post. Fun, but a major time suck.

But I was thinking today as I watched the three older boys at the pool that I really need to blog a bit (and then I really need to figure out how tp preserve blog entries in some sort of long term meaningful way... print them? copy and paste them into a photo book of some sort??)

We joined Lake Shore Athletic Club at the start of June and it has turned out to be a great investment. I have never done so much swimming in my life and neither have the kids. They were progressing well with their abilities in the pool and now after 8 days of lessons - they have really taken major strides forward. I can honestly sit on the sidelines and know that all 3 older kids can manage themselves in the pool -- even in the 11 foot deep diving area! They also can independently get themselves ready in the locker room and cleaned up and ready to leave afterwards and that too is new for us. It is so interesting to parent these suddenly older kids instead of constantly having to supervise / double check / worry about them all. When I have Teagan with me then he of course needs watching -- but it is so much easier with just ONE little one to watch instead of 2 or 3 at a time!

So I feel like (mostly for myself, because I am not sure who reads this) I want to write something about each of them... what I notice, how they are these days...

Andrew will be 11 in November. I am finding I don't really like this age much. He gets hyper and loud quickly; he is messy; he has all this STUFF that travels everywhere with him and clutters his room and the house -- papers, books, trading cards, nintendo games, magazines, stray socks, shoes, sandals...etc. It is not like the other boys don't also have stuff, but somehow the 10 year olds stuff is always more of a mess, harder to get cleaned up (because he is more resistant) and shows up in more places! But Andrew really does try to be the best 10 year old he can most days... I think it is a burden to be the oldest of 4 boys, with twin brothers and a younger brother who thinks you are a king! So he really does his best to keep the boys entertained with knowledge about Pokemon and video games, keep Teagan happy with games and piggy back rides and giving in to his every whim, and keep me happy also -- just because. I feel badly that he puts a lot of pressure on himself to be this great son, great big brother... and at times he cracks under the pressure and really loses it. We have these outbursts and tantrums out of the blue that are annoying and frustrating -- but that is just part of his dealing with learning to mature. And as I said already -- I am also not excited about the messiness of this one -- but I love him dearly all the same.

He is still a major talker -- he can talk your ear off on a wide variety of subjects. I feel badly in that as a parent I wish I could just sit and listen and really care about whatever it is he is talking about... but honestly, I get bored, have other things to do and really DON'T care. Which I a bummer for him I think... one of those things where if he was an only child he would have more of an audience from me, I think. But luckily, his brothers really do seem to care about what he goes on about... so he still gets to talk to his heart's content. :) At school, more than one teacher has commented on his "little professor" traits.

Connor really is still a challenge for me as well these days. He and Joe really mesh better at this stage of the game. He whines when he is tired, doesn't eat well and then complains later about being hungry, and he likes to really pout when things aren't going his way. I hate to start out negatively... and I hope he and I form a stronger bond as the years go by. He is gentle soul. He knows exactly how to get Teagan or his cousin Mary to smile. He is the first to come give me a hug in the morning (and of course is generally the first one up as well). He has gotten very into the video games which is a new thing as initially Andrew and Quinn were more into them than he was. He is a very good swimmer -- probably has better form than either Quinn or Andrew at this stage of the game, but doesn't have the same endurance (or body fat?) as they do so he usually peters out at the pool a bit earlier than the other two. He really doesn't like to be left out and is always wanting to know where everyone else is and keeps especially close tabs on Quinn... like tonight he was so worried Quinn wasn't walking out with us even though he was -- just slowly. Connor is the first to be ready if we are going somewhere -- he can pack quickly and efficiently.

Quinn is my super star this summer. If I had to pick favorites for the summer, he and Teagan would win. I know parents aren't supposed to do that -- but really at ever stage of the game / every new age, there are times when you have a favorite kid or a go to kid that is the most helpful, most cheerful, best choice to take shopping with you and not have to worry about drama. He is not without flaws though... (football camp day 1 comes to mind...) but he is such a summer kid. He likes being outside, has endless energy and endurance and just will play until he collapses into bed at night. He could swim for hours, has tried out diving off the side with no fear at all, was the first kid to try the diving board as well. He is still shy with new experiences and new people -- I was noting tonight that rather than say "excuse me" so he could walk around a group of kids to get in line for the diving board, he opted instead to jump back in the water and swim under the board to get over to the back of the line. That is just how he works! He is helpful around the house, probably the least whiney of the bunch and least picky in general -- in the car when we are running about he is always the first to say "I don't care, pick whatever" when I am collecting votes for where we will go eat or go play.

My darling Teagan... man, I fear this is one of those summers I won't remember because when I think back, I have trouble remembering the other kids at this fabulous age. He is nearly 2, but still sweet, still funny, still figuring the world out. Not that he doesn't test limits, throw little tantrums, resist naps at times, etc. But I think when it is your youngest and you know what comes later, you can't help but laugh and smile and grin at him. He tries to be onery but usually it comes out as cute. We are having to work around his nap schedule this summer and I admit that I won't miss not having to worry abotu that some day -- but honestly, other than that, I would like to keep him little forever! He is so funny... trying to say new words and trying to boss his around. When he wants to get up and no one is listening, he will bellow "ANnnnDDDDrrreeeeww!!!" from his crib and big brother will come and rescue him. When he likes some game or favorite food, he signs and says "MORE... PLEASE" so nicely, you just have to give in. He can blow kisses, nuzzle noses and gives the BEST hugs of any kid I have ever met. He seems to be equally excited to see Joe or myself... or my mom! who he really adores and who makes a totally perfect replacement for mom or dad. And he really hates the day care at the gym... which does really bum me out.

Anyway, I have rambled on long enough. I need to think up a clever way to save all these bits and pieces because I have lost lots of other electronic things I had intended to save (e-mails from college, and the early years of my marriage, posts and pics I had set up on early family web sites, etc.)

Now... back to see if Facebook is online again or not! (I told you facebook wins!)

OK so I will admit it, Teagan isn't really a baby anymore (though being the youngest of 4 I am sure he will be called "the baby" well into his 50's). Even though he has been officially toddling since he was 9 months old, he seems more toddler-like lately. He "talks" meaning he has a few words and lots of signs and can get a long ways with grunting, pointing and yelling. He has very distinct likes and dislikes and now nods his head "ye"s and shakes his head "no" quite vigorously.

He is an adorable, easy child... not sure if it is all tempermant or just that by boy #4 you start to get the hang of things. He goes down to sleep more easily then any of the other 3 ever did and sleeps longer and more consistently than any of the others either. He also has a wonderfully varied diet, but I have this feeling that some of the others did also at this age and I know that somewhere around the age of 3 is when things may turn on me -- for now it is fun to watch him enjoy his food.

BUT... as wonderful as he is; he is also full of energy and is tall enough now and dextrious enough to get into more things and make bigger messes and generally cause more mayhem when he wants to. He is our first to not have any form of daycare other than being watched by my mom on Mondays and it is challenging for me to take on the stay at home mom role (while still working 24 hours per week -- plus extra meetings and things also). It is a good kind of challenge though and I know I will miss these days dearly when he is older.

The other boys are at good ages too -- but they are definitely caught up in the world of boys: video games, adventure books, Legos, playing tag, wrestling with each other... not really mom stuff (though I do like my Legos!) so I see how quickly it can all go by.

Anyway, I was feeling nostaglic about it all today watching my darling toddle around the neighborhood with me. Sorry to sound so sappy... life is good :)