Joshua, Noah, and the rest of January

Brothers having fun

Joshua is all about talking and playing games and making up friends. Today he was playing with his Woody the cowboy toy only he said it was "Busty" the cowboy. He and "Busty" had a great time playing in the car. And Joshua loves to play games. We recently introduced him to Chutes & Ladders which he loves... mostly because this version has a superhero theme and he enjoys assigning everyone their superhero before we play. I think his favorite part about this game is that we usually play it when Noah is taking a nap so he loves to tell us "I think Noah needs a nap and I need to play my game." even if it is 9AM on a Saturday morning.

Noah is such a happy baby. He loves dancing, laughing, and his brother. He usually falls asleep clutching one of his loveys close. He alternates between the Raggedy Andy doll (that Grandottie made him), Mickey, his giraffe, and Barney. He loves to hug and snuggle his toys. It's so precious and new to us as Joshua never cared much for plush toys. He sways and claps whenever he hears music. Joshua is also a fan of dancing, especially if he's dancing to the Big Bang Theory theme song. I can't really describe his "moves" so I'll attempt to video them and post it to youtube.

The boys are really starting to play well together. They wrestle and wrangle for the same toys from time to time but they usually work it out with few tears. It's fun to listen to them because Joshua is doing all the talking and Noah is giggling and throwing out the occasional "Da!" They are well on their way to be good buddies.

I like to read!

Today Noah is sick with a double ear infection and an eye infection. Poor baby! I took him to the doctor's office and he was a sick little fella. Fortunately he should bounce back quickly. I will comment that there was a student doctor in the room today with our pediatrician. At one point the pediatrician and I we were talking about allergies and our doctor mentioned Noah is allergic to apples, strawberries, peanuts and cashews. The student doctor turned to me and said "Really? I couldn't live! I love those foods. I couldn't imagine not eating apples and strawberries, wow or nuts." Our pediatrician tried to cover for him and casually said "Well, it's not that uncommon. I have lots of young patients allergic to strawberries and nut allergies are on the rise, though he is my only apple allergy..." He handed me the prescription, told Noah to feel better and quickly left the room. I suspect not long after that there was a discussion about how to not make the patient and patient's family feel worse about a diagnosis than it actually is, especially one that won't change, like a nut allergy. Matt and I had a good laugh about it. It reminded me of a scene in Zoolander where Ben Stiller's character said "How do you live!?!"

My Blue Angels

My Negotiator

I tell Joshua stories all the time but here are two prime examples of my expert negotiator. I must admit that I thought I'd have more time before he started to outsmart me. This is humbling. Well for your amusement...

Case 1
Joshua likes to eat a snack in the car on the way home from school. There are two snacks that I offer in the car: individually wrapped fruit snacks and granddaddy crackers (aka Nilla wafers). I usually let Joshua eat 2 fruit snacks, one right away and one after we drive over the bridge. (I should add the the entire drive from daycare to the house is about 30min so it's not that long of a drive.) I do this to make them last longer so I don't have to listen to how hungry he is the whole way home. Recently Joshua said "Mommy can I have 2 fruit snacks?" I repeated my standard answer and said he could have one now and the second one after the bridge. He said "Okay so the first one before the bridge, right?" I agreed as I handed him back his snack. He happily ate it down right away and asked for his fruit snack about 5 minutes later. And here's the rest:
Me:  We aren't even to the bridge yet. You know the rules. You'll have to wait.
Joshua: But Mommy, you said I could eat the first fruit snack before the bridge.
Me: I know and I already gave it to you and you ate it.
Joshua: No Mommy, you gave me the second one and I already ate it, now I want the first snack.
Me: What? No I gave you the first snack and you ate it.
Joshua: No you gave me the second snack first and I ate that one. Now I want the first one. You said I could eat it before the bridge. Pretty please!

All I can say is wow, my son's a negotiator! How can you say no to logic like that!?! Of course I caved and gave him the other fruit snack. Now on to part II.

Case 2
As I've said I have two snacks in the car. The second snack, granddaddy crackers, is really for Noah, although Joshua eats them too. These are less of a choke hazard and Noah's not allergic to any ingredients. Anyway I usually hand them back to Noah two at a time because he is in a rear facing car seat and it's a pain to stretch back that far from the driver's seat when he can't see me and hand them to him. Anyway after handing Noah a snack I usually hand back 3 crackers to Joshua because, according to J's logic, "I get 3 because I'm 3 years old!" He must have been hungry the other day because he worked this angle:
Joshua: Noah is growing. He will get bigger and bigger and bigger. You should give him 2 crackers because he's almost 2 years old.
Me: Well he's not even 1 1/2 so I wouldn't say he's almost 2, but he is a growing boy so I'll give him 2 crackers.
Joshua: Well you know I'm a growing boy too and if Noah's almost 2 then it means I'm almost 4, right?
Me: Sortof, but Noah's not almost 2 though he will be 2 on his next birthday and you're not almost 4 but you will be 4 on your next one...
Joshua: So since Noah got 2 crackers for being almost 2 can I have 4 crackers since I'm almost 4? It will be fair mommy.

I really have my hands full with Joshua. These stories remind me a lot of myself when I was little. All I can say is that I hope Noah can outwit him from time to time, otherwise he and Aunt Stoppie will have a lot to talk about at family gatherings.

A few conversations

Joshua keeps us laughing and on our toes with his thoughts. Here are a few recent quotes:

"Mommy, scary tree is bad and you are good. That is why you are my friend and scary tree is not my friend."

Joshua: I want a different snack
Me: What kind of snack?
Joshua: I want something chocolate-y and very good.
Me: How about some cheese?
Joshua: Mommy, really?

Daddy: Do you want a donut for breakfast?
Joshua: Real Space Rangers don't eat donuts.
Daddy: Well what do you want to eat?
Joshua: I just want one little tomato.

Me: How's my astronaut?
Joshua: Mommy, an astronaut is an astronaut and a space man is a space man, and tonight I'm a space man.

This is sweet. On MLK Day we were in a parking lot when someone cut me off and I hit the brakes. Joshua asked what happened and I told him that that car wasn't very nice. Then he said "But Mommy, God loves everybody. He loves us and sent His son. That's why you're supposed to love everybody - not just the people just like us, but EVERYBODY." So true. Makes me think someone's definitely been paying attention at AWANAS.

Me: I have a fun surprise for you.
Joshua: Yea! What is it? A baby sister?
Me: Um, no but that would be surprising...

Can't wait til Noah really starts talking so I can post his silly conversations. I know he's got some funny things to say, he just doesn't know how to communicate them yet. He favorite funny thing to do these days is to pull his shirt up and pat his belly. It's hard not to laugh when he does this as he's so proud and laughing. That's my boy!

Yea Alabama!

The boys showing their team spirit at school.

So I first must open with Roll Tide! That's right, Alabama won the National Championship game against LSU. The final score was 21-0. It was an exciting evening in our house. This is Bama's 14th National Championship Title (Joshua's 2nd and Noah's 1st). We are happy for our team though Matt and I must lament "Why weren't they that good when we were in school?" Regardless I enjoyed dressing my boys up in their jersey's for school. And Joshua got into the spirit of things by electing to wear an Alabama toboggan despite the temperature being in the mid 70s.

Noah was not that interested in the game and fell asleep before half time. Joshua really enjoyed cheering during the game with his typical "Go Bama! Roll Tide! Haha - he fell down. Daddy that is a football, etc." We let Joshua stay up a little later and then put him to bed in mommy and daddy's room hoping he'd stay in there. Instead he kept coming out of the room for one more hug, one more kiss, more more high-five, one more Go Bama, etc. Finally he was asleep and we tried to quietly watch the game (which is hard to do).

Roll Tide!

On a completely unrelated note, I must brag on my Noah that he has learned to wipe his nose. This is a very important skill as it is cold and flu season. Way to go Noah!

Happy New Year

Joshua's ready to go hiking

Happy New Year! It's 2012 and what better way for me to kick off my blog than to quote a few of the many funny things my boys say and do.

Noah's favorite word is still "No." One of his favorite past times is to grab the tv remote and run away giggling. I think he always knows he'll get caught, but that's probably the best part.

Joshua recently told me "Mommy, I'm going to grow bigger, and bigger, and bigger. Then one day I'll be a person or somethin'."

Last night the dogs came inside the house and stood side by side wagging their tails wildly as Matt prepared their food. Joshua looked at them and laughed out loud saying "Look, the dogs are playing swords!" I'd never thought of it that way but what a perfect description!

This made mommy a little sad. Last night I asked Noah "Are you ready to eat?" and patted his high chair. He answered "Ya!" then walked to the big boy chair across from Joshua (a kid-sized table), patted it, and climbed into the seat. I think my baby's trying to tell me he's not a baby.

The rest of 2011

Joshua and Daddy in The Muppets

We had one last "first" to finish off 2011, we took Joshua to see his first movie at a movie theater. We went to go see the new "The Muppets" movie. We did popcorn, a drink, the movie. It was great! He really liked all the previews - which is good considering there was 35min of them. He sat in Daddy's lap the whole time because his view was partially obscured by the headrest in front of him. He loved the movie. As soon as it was over he said "I want to do that again!" So glad mommy and daddy had some special time with Joshua.

Noah stayed home with Grandma & Grandpa, and his Aunts. He had a great time too. Speaking of Noah, he has a new favorite word that he's used over and over on this trip. His new favorite word is "No." Although when he says it, it sounds more like nyo. He doesn't always use it correctly, he just likes to say it. He'll say no to everything except if you ask him "Can you say yes?" He'll answer "Yesh!" then he's back to his standard "No."

Joshua loves playing Wii Resort

We drove home on the 30th to relax a few days before heading back to work. It was a wonderful Christmas break. We feel so blessed to be surrounded by so much love and family. Joshua and Noah are growing up to be such fine boys. We couldn't possibly be prouder. We wish everyone a Happy New Year as we are looking forward to 2012.
Much love and Many blessings!
The Chatham Family

Christmas 2011 - Part 3

Noah, Granddaddy, and Joshua

Joshua and Ridley

Sweet Noah

After we left Maw-Maw's house we drove to Granddaddy's house to wish him a Merry Christmas. The boys enjoyed opening presents and visiting with Hardy and Ridley (our dogs) who are spending the holidays at Granddaddy's house. Joshua sang Christmas songs and Noah was running laps through the kitchen, hallway, and living room. We enjoyed yummy chili for dinner then we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Joshua, Titus, Noah, & Alice - The only pic where they are ALL looking at the camera.

Chathams and Smiths

The next day we drove up to Huntsville to spend a few days with Grandottie and Jerry Pop. The boys enjoyed playing with Grandottie and Jerry Pop. Also we all got to help out with a project by painting the dining room a lovely shade of cherry tart.  While we were in town and the Smith's were also in town visiting relatives we got together with them. All 4 of the kiddos had a great time. We enjoyed seeing our friends. We miss you guys!

Titus and Joshua

Alice and Noah

The boys with Grandottie and Jerry Pop

We drove back to Birmingham on Wednesday and Joshua got o go fishing with Daddy, Grandpa, Granddaddy and John Davis. Joshua was super excited to catch a fish. Grandaddy did the best catching 8 while Daddy was not too shabby, catching 5. We hope Grandpa and John (caught 0) do better next time.  :)

Proud fisherman

Fishing buddies - Joshua and Grandpa

Joshua, "the fish", and Granddaddy

Christmas 2011 - Part 2

Merry Christmas from the Chathams!

The boys with Grandma and Grandpa

Christmas Morning

Christmas Eve was a lot of fun. First my mom cooked a big lunch that we all enjoyed. Then Joshua and I made cookies which we would later leave out for Santa. Next everyone got dressed and we went to mass with mommy's family. Afterwards we went to the Garrett's house as we've done every year since mommy was little to celebrate, track Santa's sleigh (which is really sophisticated these days with a fancy app), eat, drink, and be merry. It actually wasn't hard to get either boy to sleep that night. Noah is always a good sleeper and Joshua was tired and while he talked about Santa, I'm not sure he totally understood he'd be getting presents. We did have to say good-bye to Zoopy (our Elf on a Shelf), at least until next year. I asked Joshua to remind Zoopy that he'd been a good boy this year and Joshua said "No Mommy, I've been an extra-good boy."

Joshua and Grandpa

Noah and Mommy

Extra good boy!

Santa put a new sippy cup in Noah's stocking and he kept testing to see if there was any juice.

The next morning Joshua slept in the latest. When he woke up I asked him "Do you think Santa came last night?" And he said no so I asked "Do you know what today is?" He looked at me still sleepy and answered "Sunday?" I prompted him further "And..." Joshua's face lit up and he said "It's Jesus' birthday!" "Yes that's right! And what else?" He looked at me "Um, we'll sing him Happy Birthday." It is so sweet that he paid attention and remembered it was Jesus' birthday. Then I asked him "Did you hear any sleigh bells or reindeer hooves last night?" He asked "Did you?" I told him I did and he said "Me too! Do you think Santa came?" And with that excited revelation we joined the rest of the family upstairs to eat some breakfast and then open presents.

Joshua to Noah "Look at my moon!"

The boys and Daddy

We opened so many presents from Santa and family. Everyone was so generous - if it weren't for the van and Daddy's car, I'm not sure everything would make it home. I think Noah's favorite thing was an empty box which he thoroughly enjoyed climbing in and out of. I'll have to tell UPS "Way to go! You really outdid yourself this year..." Thanks so much Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunts Celeste and Elaine! We missed seeing Aunt Stoppie and Uncle Chad as they were in Missouri, but we did see them later that week. After opening presents and cleaning up we got dressed and went to Maw-Maw's house in Oneonta for Christmas lunch. Maw-Maw made a delicious lunch. She was happy to have her great-grandchildren together. The boys got to play with their cousin Landon and Logan. I should mention that in probably every picture I took Joshua was wearing a Santa cap because he LOVES it.  I'm actually writing this post after Christmas and backdating it so it's in the correct order, but for days and days he wore that hat from sun up to sun down. Thanks to Aunts Celeste and Elaine for the hat. Oh and for as much as Joshua loves his hat, that's how much Noah hated wearing one, whether it was a Santa hat or reindeer antlers. Different brothers, different likes.

It's a box!

After leaving Maw-Maw's house we went to Grandaddy's house in Pleasant Grove. Pictures from that trip will make the next posting. More Christmas cheer to come!

Christmas 2011 - Part 1

Merry Christmas 2011

All the grandchildren with their stockings

Joshua, Noah and I drove up to Birmingham for Christmas on Wednesday the 21st, with Daddy driving up the following day. It was a good trip up and I have to say how much I enjoyed traveling in the van because even after loading our luggage and gifts in the van, there was still room! Friday we had Christmas with Daddy's family at the annual Nelson, Chatham, & Tilton shindig. The boys loved playing with their cousins and all the kiddos had a great time opening their stockings, which Grandottie made, and all of their presents. Grandottie gave Noah a Raggedy Andy doll, which she has made for all her grandchildren over the years. Joshua was an absolute pro at opening presents. Matt and I had a great time visiting with his brother and sister and their spouses. Joshua - who did not need a nap - fell asleep before we left the neighborhood. Noah who took a nap with JerryPop still fell asleep a few minutes later. Here are some pictures from the party. Thanks to Aunt Dana and Uncle Jesse for hosting! Merry Christmas!

Joshua and Noah opening presents while Jerry Pop looks on

Grandottie with all her grandchildren and the Raggedy Anne & Andy dolls she made them

Wow! This game really is for ages 3 and up.

And to all a good night...

Joshua is taller than the nutcracker

Doesn't that look just say it all: Hold Me!

Santa pictures!

We took the boys to get their picture made with Santa on Friday night and as you can see... it was a success! There were no tears and actual smiles. It started out a little shaky because Joshua fell asleep in the car about 10 minutes before we got there after having skipped his afternoon nap. Then he was greatly offended when I took his socks and shoes off. Luckily, the play area at Chick-Fil-A didn't allow shoes so that improved his mood.

On Saturday we took Joshua bowling for the first time. We all had a great time! He liked watching his ball crawl at a snail's pace to the pins. He only crossed the slippery line onto the lane once as did his mommy. Noah watched from a highchair and if he could talk I think he would have expressed his displeasure at not being able to bowl. Sorry buddy, you'll have to wait until you are older.

Joshua and Santa

Noah and a Reindeer

Afterwards we went to Christmas in Allentown. It's a house that decorates with over 300,000 lights. It's impressive to see! They invite you to walk in the yard and look at all the themes they have set up. They even had a Santa who was handing out toys. The boys had a great time and were happy to see Santa. I think we'll go every year!

Joshua and Noah admiring some lights