Heaven Help Me.

Oh Finn. This post is going to bring me to tears writing it. You are such a JOY! Honestly, a year ago I loved you so much because you were my child, but today I have found your personality is infectious and I LOVE you because of who you are. You are such a fun and funny little boy. I cannot believe you are two years old. I cannot believe my baby is no longer a baby.  When I had you, several friends with multiple children warned me that 1+1 does not equal 2. Having a second baby is an exponential amount of work. And I think having a toddler and a baby earns me a special place in heaven because it is basically an infinite amount of work (going to a mathematical perspective).  Maybe not, but in the depths of difficulty with parenting I tell myself this to help!

Oh me. Where do I begin. You have always been a passionate soul, literally from the get-go. I think you had this personality when you were born, it was just so chaotic and crazy we didn't really "meet" you until we went home. You had me as a struggling new mommy with your passion (read: screaming). As you turned a year old and entered your second year of life, your passion began to refine, but it was still very strong and chaotic. You were definitely a difficult baby and early toddler. But just as strong as your screams and vocalization of unhappiness was your love. And you turned a corner at some point and became a bit more  reasonable of a child. Yes, you still scream and become insanely loud when you want something (and you want what you want NOW), but you are probably the most loving child I have ever met. You are an amazing snuggler. You love to give hugs and you love to give kisses. The passion (that goes multiple directions) is beginning to form into something constructive and I look forward to watching what you will do with it. When you were an infant I started to read a book about  "The Strong Willed Child" (which I now need to revisit for Keagan....another story) and was concerned that I wouldn't be able to handle you. But you have seriously become an amazing little boy. Like I said, your personality is infectious and I actually crave being around you.

You are hilarious. Your facial expressions tickle me. Maybe it's because I am your momma. Maybe it's because you really are funny. But you have the best (and truly appropriate) facial expressions for whatever may be going on. You have figured out how to make people laugh and you do what you do well. When you are sad, you are VERY sad. When you are excited you are VERY excited. And when you are happy, you are VERY happy!!! I think you might be like your mommy, and you wear your heart on your sleeve. You are stubborn. Your are silly. You are smart and have already blown me away with what you know and what you comprehend. I do think having a big brother is helpful to this. And while sometimes it is exhausting, I know you will do big things one day.

You are a big boy! You are 31 lbs (90th percentile) and 35.25" tall (75th percentile). And you are pretty comfy in 3T sized clothing (which your big brother can actually still wear). You love to run and jump and gallop and skip. Your motor skills amaze this physical therapist. On the flip side of this, your run is hilarious. You actually flap your arms when you run! Someday I hope you will put the energy of flapping your arms into pumping them to get faster. But for now, everyone -and I do mean everyone- gets a kick out of how you run! And usually it is with the sweetest smile on your face because you are happy with life.
You are an eater. You actually wake up and immediately ask to "Eat Eat Cookies." We never eat cookies in the morning, but you ask daily anyhow. Just as much as you love cookies, you hate cake. And you turn your head and clench your mouth if anything new comes near it. You are not adventurous at all. But your daddy and I won't let you live your childhood without at least ingesting a little birthday cake and powdered donuts. :) Luckily you do love your fruit, veggies, and meat. You may not like what a typical two-year old likes, but you do well with the "grown-up" foods. You are also very imaginative. You love to play, and you play well alone and with your brother (when you aren't fighting). You crack us up with your love of airplanes. And you have recently started putting your arms behind you and running around as if you are flying. One of your favorite movies is Disney's Planes. You love your airplanes and you hate sharing them!

When I became pregnant with you I couldn't imagine loving anything anymore than I already did with Keagan. God is amazing in how He can open a momma's heart and make room for another baby to love. I cannot imagine our family without you. And I cannot imagine that any better place for you than to have you as my second baby. You have humbled me as a parent. You have taught me so much about how to love and endure. You are beautiful. You are spunky. You are incredible. And you have made me a better mommy having you in my life. I often become overwhelmed in my role as mommy to you and Keagan, and I wonder what the point is to having children. I sometimes wonder if this really is my role in life, and let the "what ifs" become bigger than I can contemplate and sometimes these feelings overtake me.  And then I go so far as to think, "Why is having children such a draw for women if it is so difficult and so life changing?" I don't, nor will I ever, have the answers to these ridiculous feelings or questions. And, while at this point in my life with two very small children I get insanely overwhelmed and lose my patience with you and your brother, all that has to happen is to see you and Keagan smile, hug, or hear you laugh, and I know that I don't have to have the answers because God chose me to be your mother. He chose me to direct and challenge me to raise you as God-respecting individuals to further his kingdom, while in the meantime I get to experience the complicated and strong love that no one else can ever experience unless they are blessed enough to have babies grace their presence. Thank you Lord for this child, and for entrusting him to ME.

I love you Finny.

Love,
Mommy

Birthday Party #2

The weekend of Finn's actual birthday we went to Owensboro to spend time with Josh's parents. The boys eat up their grandparents' attention and were thrilled to be there! It was super hot (I think the hottest days of the summer?) but the boys were going stir-crazy being inside so we went outside to play. They look like they might melt but they had a great time!

My favorite picture of all time. Super sweet. Finn is Poppy's boy. There is no question. Finn snuggles Poppy and hugs on him constantly. It is a pretty sweet connection, and we've been noticing this since early on! The smiles say it all in this pic.

Finn and Keagan had some cousins surprise him and show up for supper the night of Finn's family birthday celebration.  The boys loved it!

My boy that doesn't love cake got a cookie cake for his birthday. He wanted to eat the frosting off it, but other than one bite wouldn't eat any. 

Present time! Finn is getting this part down-pat. Of course, he gets a lot of help (namely from his big brother), but he can definitely do it all himself. His facial expressions are hilarious. 

Opening an ABC computer from his Great Grandma Gail (aka "Super" Grandma)

A fun coupling of puzzles from our friend Jessica.

And finally, a very long video of Finn opening his presents from my parents. With extreme help from Big Brother.

Thank you to EVERYONE who made Finn's birthday so incredibly special. He is one loved little boy!! Now I will go dry my tears.

Finley is growing UP!! (2nd Birthday)

My spunky baby boy is no longer a baby. He is TWO! Finn hasn't really ever been into movies (until recently) but he LOVED the Disney-Pixar movie UP! And I mean loved it. I love it, and I cry through it...and I think it's funny that he was more interested in this adult-ish cartoon than the fast-paced Cars or even Frozen (gasp!). But I figured out really quickly why he loved it: BALLOONS. The child is obsessed with them. In fact, he has one that he is screaming for RIGHT now in his room. But I refuse to let him nap with it...seems a bit dangerous?  Anyways, we went with an UP! themed birthday party with the focus to be on the balloons and bright fun colors. We had a lot of people back out at the last minute and my fear was that Finn wouldn't have any party guests (OK, we all know that a 2-year old's birthday party is more about supporting the momma...but you get my drift), but it was a fantastic time. And we had a few surprise guests!!

I dressed Finn as Russell from the movie, and Josh was less than thrilled. I joked with him that he was going to be Carl! (watch the movie...you won't regret it) I assumed Finn would want out of his costume immediately so I took a ton of pictures. Josh ribbed me for making Finley "dress up" and at one point asked that I please take off his silly outfit and let him wear normal clothes. So I tried to take off the sash. To say that Finn refused to remove his outfit was an understatement. He loved it!!

The cake table. Regarding the cake, let's just go with that THIS was not at all what I had asked the lady (even sent her a picture) to do. I was less than thrilled with the decoration and even scraped off her balloons (and curling ribbon she stuck into the frosting) and spend the night before the party re-doing the balloons. I am picky. I know. Despite not being thrilled about the outside decoration, the inside of the cake took our breath away...you will see. And that aspect was perfect. And it tasted so so so good. So once I sank my teeth in the cake I was much happier.

Outside gift and drink tables... as well as the thumb print "guest book."  Inside food table complete with rainbow fruit!

The weather was perfect for Finn's party this year. Last year it rained buckets. I was afraid that it would be too hot this year...but it was absolutely perfect. So we could all enjoy being outside without sweating buckets, and the kids could run around. And the grown ups could do whatever.

Sweet Rush and Molly Parker...they are such nice kids and really love on my boys and I am thankful for them!! MP is just starting babysitting and she has taken a great interest in Finn, who pretty much just LOVES her.

CAKE TIME!!!  (remember the cake fiasco I spoke of above? all this for the child who hates cake.) I love these series of pictures because we are singing Happy Birthday to Finn. I love his sweet expressions.

And then it was time to blow out the candles. And what is typical in our house is Keagan jumps ahead and tries to take everything over...including opening presents and blowing out candles. So as much as this picture is not becoming of me, and I looked ticked (I was!) I had to share because it is "funny" of Keagan and typical of how our life is right now. But once Keagan stepped back, Finn figured it out and actually blew out one of his candles. Then he freaked!! (he doesn't like things that are HOT and he tells us all the time if something is hot! hot!) 

Moment of truth...it was very suspenseful as Josh cut the cake. And literally, everyone gasped. It was gorgeous!!

Finn didn't have any cake (surprise, surprise) but instead feasted on the sprinkles of a marshmallow pop. He did, however, have some the next night!! And he ate quite a bit. So maybe there is hope for him yet.

Present time!! And so many little helpful hands!

Sweet Annie!

Grown-up conversation...we look super serious.

Stacey had the camera! She took some great pictures. I don't know what genre I would classify this as! HAHA! (thanks Stacey for "manning" the camera!)

I think we realized how serious we looked, so we lightened up our pose some. Ha!

The row of men. I don't think they moved the whole night. 

Josh became super-popular with the kiddos when he started putting batteries in toys.

Random and quick snuggles from the birthday boy.

Grown-up plasma car racing between Amy and Jarrett.

As people started leaving we decided to take some not-so-candid pictures. Unfortunately we missed one family who left much earlier...Christina and her sweet family aren't pictured in these. :(

The Robinson Family

The Malone Family

The Harrod Family

The Pedigo Family. They take the cake on best family picture! The first one didn't take so well...but then poor Hank was whisked away by all the balloons and Amy and Jeremy had to hold him down. (ok, not really...but a great picture nonetheless!).

 Our family...we were photo-bombed by Annie!! 

The best one we could get without silly Annie in it. Oh course, she is basically a sister to these boys so I guess she ought to be in our family picture!

 Silly mommies.

Trying our darndest to get a pic of the kids at the end of the night. Not.Possible.

And just the girls. I do believe (other than Josh who has the camera) that all the men were probably still in their row of lawn chairs. Or maybe that row moved around the campfire. 

Keagan was too busy to have cake during the party. But by-golly at 10 o'clock when everyone had left he wanted a piece of cake. So, give the boy some cake, we did!! And he enjoyed it. 

In true Janine-fashion, I have at least one more post on Finn's second birthday to share with you! It's the birthday that keeps on going!