Two.

"There are all kinds of love in this world but never the same love twice." - F Scott Fitzgerald

Two has come to our house. It has a face of years and months. Two years of sweet wonderful little darling stud man Laef. He struts into a room with his golden hair and large dark brown eyes. He loves being tickled, he loves fruit with all his heart, he loves Daniel Tiger, Curious George, eating, snacking, playing outside, tupper wear, fake food, cups, talking, piggy backing on Brandon, playing with balls, pushing his fake lawn mower and drinking from my water bottle. 

Two Sunday's ago on Laef's birthday we threw him a monkey party on our wonderful back porch. I spent a few afternoons making monkey jungle vines for his party. It turned out pretty cute. We had about 25 people come and celebrate our little monkey. We had a small pool and sprinklers for the kids to play in. At the end of the day I fell into Brandon's arms exhausted and started crying. Through my tears I told Brandon "I had so many fears of having kids and Laef is the result in spite of my fears.. he is incredible. They are incredible." (haha... as I'm typing this Laef is throwing a tantrum and being extremely difficult today. All of my words will be tested. It's still sweet though, tears, fits, smiles, hard moments, sweet moments... it's all a journey that is incredible.)

Our friends Josiah and Nicole (who made the watermelon pirate ship last year for Laef's birthday) made the monkey fruit for him.

Laef got so many toys- his own Ikea pots and pans, his own tool box, Mr Potato heads, his own broom, clothes, toms, fake food, blocks, bath toys, PJ's and a monkey back pack.

It really was a sweet party for my boy and I'm so happy that I could throw him such a fun time. At the end of the day I asked Laef "Did you have a fun day?" and he said "I did." (Brandon is his father.)

So two has come to us in yet another sweet way. Two months of my beautiful Atlas. His smiles are overtaking my heart. I don't love him like Laef and I don't love Laef like Atlas. That's why the quote at the top is quite true. The love I feel is so different and unique for each of them. Laef and I have history together. Atlas is coming in and adding onto the story with such grace. My favorite is watching his face whenever Laef walks into the room, walks by him, or plays close by. Atlas is pure smiles. He loves Laef so much already, and Laef loves kissing baby A.

For two years now my song for Laef has been Brooke Fraser's "Sailing" song. We sing it to him religiously before bed. It is a staple in showing love to my boy. Laef used to lay sweetly in my arms and coo at me when I would sing it. Now, he is the energizer bunny before bed, running in and out of his tee pee and trying to get me and Brandon to play. Every now and then he lets him hold him tightly and he lays his head on my chest. I knew the calm baby would someday be a roaring boy who loves to rough play and likes to dive at you full blast. And I know Atlas will be that too. There is such a sweetness in looking back on every night we have sang that song and seeing the growth of a boy who would stare at you with calmness to a little man who thinks your so beautiful, yet wants to hit you with his toys. The "Sailing" song is my song for Laef. And I would read to him a Nancy Tillman book every night. (They are my favorite)

So with Atlas, I thought.... I need a song for my boy. I want this to be our song. I don't want to sing Laef's song to Atlas because me and Atlas will have a different relationship then Laef and I. So this song became my song.

If the stars were mine I'd give them all to you

 I'd pluck them down right from the sky And leave it only blue 

I would never let the sun forget To shine upon your face 

So when others would have rain clouds You'd have only sunny days 

If the stars were mine I'd tell you what I'd do I'd put the stars right in a jar And give 'em all to you

If the birds were mine I'd tell them when to sing

 I'd make them sing a sonnet When your telephone would ring

 I would put them there inside the square Whenever you went out 

So there'd always be sweet music Whenever you walk about 

If the birds were mine I'd tell you what I'd do

 I'd teach the birds such lovely words And make 'em sing for you 

 If the world was mine I'd paint it gold and green 

I'd make the oceans orange For a brilliant color scheme

 I would color all the mountains Make the sky forever blue 

So the world would be a painting And I'd live inside with you I

f the world was mine I'd tell you what I'd do 

I'd wrap the world in ribbons And then give it all to you 

I'd teach the birds such lovely words And make 'em sing for you 

I'd put those stars right in a jar and Give them all to you - Melody Gardot

I also started reading the book "You are my I love you" - (Thank you Sharon)

I am your parent you are my child

 I am your quiet place, you are my wild 

I am your calm face, you are my giggle 

I am your wait, you are my wiggle 

I am your audience, you are my clown 

I am your London Bridge, you are my falling down 

I am your Carrot Sticks, you are my licorice 

I am your dandelion, you are my first wish 

I am your water wings, you are my deep 

I am your open arms, you are my running leap 

I am your way home, you are my new path 

I am your dry towel, you are my wet bath 

I am your dinner you are my chocolate cake 

I am your bedtime, you are my wide awake

 I am your finish line, you are my race 

I am your praying hands, you are my saving grace 

I am your favorite book, you are my new lines 

I am your nightlight, you are my sunshine 

I am your lullaby, you are my peek-a-boo 

I am your kiss goodnight, you are my I love you Author: Maryann K Cusimano

So life with two boys? Not as hard yet as I imaged. I think about having another one already. (yah, I know... crazy) Yesterday I had a moment as I folded clothes and the two boys were sleeping.... the rain began to fall outside and the summer rain smell filled my room as I opened my windows and listened. I started crying looking around my room and outside. There is nothing whimsical about folding clothes (trust me) but I realized how incredibly happy I am. Never in all my days have I felt such happiness. Even on the hard days, there is a glimmer of sweet and pure happiness that unfolds in the chaos. I've learned to bend down and hug Laef more. To sit on the kitchen floor and watch him play hard with his toys. We pretend together, we laugh together, we make tents together, we walk outside together, play in water, play in the rain... my boys are my best friends, my sweet wonder.

I have learned so much that "things" cannot fill your soul with happiness.

Toys on my floor are a sweet reminder to me that my boys won't always be in my home. Dirty bottles in the sink that seem to never go away, remind me that my sweet Atlas is healthy and eating well. So we must enjoy their toys and their laughter as much as we can. (I do not feel this way about dirt, and spills and messes that are dirty. I'm Mrs. clean.)

So here are some crappy quality photos for your enjoyment. ;D Thanks to the lifeproof case my phone doesn't take great photos anymore. I'm not crazy about the case but when you have a two year old... a phone that takes blurry photos is better then no phone at all. 

The things we do for chiken.

My best friend Sharon came to see me last week. <3

So that is all for now. Brandon and I are having a date tonight, and that is a rare event. I have weddings for the next few weekends and we are finishing getting our office done and functional. We may even buy our first TV. (wow! right?) I'm happy with life. I'm thankful, so so thankful for the joy that coats my house.

Till next time. <3