Bath time

The boys eating oranges in the sink.

I tried to take Angy out and Jonas said, "Put him back in." Then Angy started crying because he didn't want to get out. So, I put him back in.

Angus splashed and splashed and Jonas squirted bubbles out of the "baby wash" bottle.

The kitchen floor was wet, mom was soaked, but the boys were happy.

Nana Irma

I'm so glad you feel comfy at Nana's house, like I did when I was little. You asked if you could "borrow" her new box of cereal.

She gave it to you!

That's Nana for you!

Red, green and yellow!!

In the sink. Lookin' a little too big, but having lots of fun.

Painting!

Jonas and Philip painting outside on a lovely day.

A flower from my boy!

It was the day before Valentine's day, we were walking to daddy's shop and you spotted these pretty yellow dandelions. You walked on over, picked one and handed it to me, "Here mama, a flower for you."

It was so sweet. It came from your little heart and I love that.

Riding around the block

"I'm going to ride all the way to the shop."

Month 51

Dear Jonas,

A lot has happened since the last letter I posted. You are four years old now. Christmas has passed. A new year has begun.

I can't believe that this year you are going to turn five! What! My little boy will soon be going to kindergarten, but lets not mention that now because I may start to cry.

We've had some ups and downs.

You are really loving cooking, baking, and just creating lots of different stuff. Daddy and I think its wonderful and we try to include you when we are cooking something new or different. We try to show you new stuff, well, as much as we know.

Today we made banana bread just because you heard someone making it on t.v. I found a recipe and just stood there, supervising, because you did all the work. You are a great baker!

This weekend you had lots of fun because your friend, Philip, came to visit you. He is eight years old, but you two get along really well. You two threw rocks into the canal, watched spongebob and colored. You even cried when he had to go home. You get pretty upset when lots of people have to leave. Even some of daddy's customers.

We have also had some not-fun moments. Today we went to the store to pick up some baby wipes and you threw a big fit over a spongebob video game that was $25. You screamed in the store and it was not fun at all. Buddy Boo was watching you and I argue. You didn't get it, of course. You were very angry!

You are the best older brother. You give Angus some sweet nicknames. The one that has stuck is "Buddy Boo" or "Angy Pangy". You always say stuff like, "Babies have cute heads," or "Buddy Boo's cute, Willy's Butte," just cause it rhymes.

The only time you get upset with him is when he pulls your hair or when he destroys something you are working on or gets in the way when you are playing. I can put a bunch of toys in front of him, but he would much rather be where the real action is, with his big brother.

Love,
Mom

Christmas is coming

All that you have been asking for is the "piggy that eats hamburgers" and the spongebob sno-cone maker.
Can't wait to see your face christmas morning.

Nothin' but LOVE

New Shoes

Cool green "converse" from the swap meet, only $10!

Month 44

Dear Jonas,

You turned 44 months old five days ago. You have been a very busy bee, what with all the coloring you do. You ask to get a picture printed out every day. Our printer is almost out of black ink because of you! You love coloring with markers and I am so proud that you put the tops on your markers and put them away in their special box.


The other day you threw a fit because you wanted these markers called "Blendy Pens" from Costco. You were screaming in the store and crying because you wanted them so bad. Well, you didn't get them and all the screaming and crying didn't help you. So, I showed you our change jar and told you to put any pennies, nickels, dimes or quarters you find, so that you can save up for your blendy pens. I wanted to teach you about saving and all that good stuff. Well, you finally had enough and we bought them. You were so happy because you bought them with the money you saved.

Next on our money earning agenda is to have a yard sale. You have sorted the toys you don't want anymore into three boxes. All we need now is good weather. It has been so hot.

I am sorry that we are stuck indoors most of the day. I have been looking for events or activities for us to do. But living in Arizona in the heat can be tough on a parent, or me, i guess.

Lately you have been asking me what ingredients are needed to make the foods we eat. We'll be seated at the table eating, then you ask, "What ingredients do you use to make pancakes?" So, I go through all the ingredients. This morning you asked dad what ingredients you needed to make people. You really got him there, he tried his best to answer that one.

Keep those questions rolling.

Love,
Mom

My beautiful sleeping babies

Jonas' happy 4th!

Enjoying a watermelon paleta in his pool.

Too many ribs.

Month 43

Dear Jonas,

I started this blog when you were 10-months-old. I am going to start writing a letter to you every month to let you know about what a wonderful little boy you are. It's going to have all the ups and downs of your life.

Here we go. I hope you enjoy this.

You are finally getting over this grumpy state that you have been in for the past couple of months. I think I know why you have been Mr. Negative lately. Well, you have a brand new little brother who has been taking up my attention. Yes, I am trying to find a way to give you each the attention you deserve. It has not been easy and I know that is why you have been getting upset lately or irritated at the tiniest of things. Thank god you are finally getting over this. Life is much easier when you are happy.

You have been watching a lot of Gumby lately. Which I think is awesome because you like something that has such simple animation. Grandma Estella bought the Gumby movie for you and you absolutely love it. I used to watch it when I was little. Only thing is you want to watch it a couple of times a day. I know that you will soon move on to something new, so I allow it.

The other day I was telling you about how much fun school was going to be when you start going. We plan on putting you in preschool when you are four. You looked excited for a second, then you asked me, "Are you going to be there?" And I said, "I will be dropping you off and picking you up." And you did not like it one bit. Well, you frowned instantly and you said, "I don't want to go to school" about four times. So I dropped the subject.

You have been very attached to me, more than before, even. Ever since I came back from the hospital you have not wanted to leave my sight. Dad was feeling bummed because you didn't want to hang out with just him, but I think now you are getting over that too. You know that I am here and that I am not going anywhere. I will always be here! You don't ever have to worry about that.

You have so many interests: gardening, cooking, drawing, painting. The other day you said you wanted to be a pilot and you were going to fly me to Paris. Paris! I can't wait to for the time when we can travel together. Then a few days later you said you were going to work at Denny's and make food for everyone. That is your favorite restaurant. Daddy took us there one night and the first thing we ordered was a strawberry milkshake. That one you over, instantly.

Words you use: dignified, splendid, realize. Your vocabulary is amazing. Your daddy and I sometimes think we are talking to a teenager not a three-year old.

You absolutely love Angus. I know it is hard for you at times to see him in my arms most of the time, but you never let it get to you. Instead, you give him kisses on his head or fart on his tummy. You look out for him. If someone is holding him and he cries, you say, "I think he needs tee-tee."

In the early morning hours when you call me to your room, sometimes Angus starts crying to be fed and I tell you, "I'll be right back, I have to feed brother." You say, "NO," but then warm up immediately and say, "Okay, go feed baby brother."

I feel blessed to have a little boy that is so smart. You love books and you memorize them so quickly. You did this when you were younger, but I hadn't tested you in a while. The other day I started reading a book to you and paused on one of the sentences and you finished it for me. Then I asked you to read the rest of the page and you did. I can't even do that.

Love,
Mom

Me and my boy

Big Brother

Jonas is one sweet boy. He never ceases to kiss his baby brother on the head. He talks to him and includes him every time we do something.

If we are in the car and Angus starts to cry, he'll give him his binky.

He is learning patience, little by little. Sometimes things can't be done as fast as he'd like but he takes it without complaining, most of the time.

He is my little artist. Always working on some art project, coloring in his coloring books, or drawing pictures of his favorite cartoon characters, like spongebob.

Beautiful Brothers

Handsome!

First Haircut

My little man is so good. He had his first haircut and it went so well.

I was worried about him getting scared or something, especially because he started crying after he saw Jeremiah with short hair.

He loved his long hair, but I told him it would only be a little shorter. He was ready.

Looking at these photos makes me sad. He is growing up so fast. That smile, those cheeks, his bravery...brings tears to my eyes.

He amazes me every day. He knows so much and speaks so well. He absolutely loves his baby brother and gives him kisses every day.

I know he's been feeling a little jealous because he'll glance over many times when I'm holding the baby, but he never gets upset about it.

Sometimes he acts up, but it's only normal considering how quickly his life changed.

I just want him to know that I love him so much! He is a beautiful person and he's only three.

Yeah, he has his Jonas moments, like when he sends people to work or tries to boss people around, but that just makes him more interesting. He holds his own when he's around older kids, no one tells him what to do.


My boy is one special kid. He loves books, loves nature. Today at grandma Estella's house he was popping water balloons and he started saying hello to the butterflies, trees, sun, ants..."Hello sun." "Hello birds." "Hello bees." "Hello dirt."

He was so sweet!

I always hug him and tell him, "Don't go growin' up too fast!"

"I won't grow up too fast," he reassures me.

I love him so much!!!!

Another day

Another lovely, yet hot afternoon spent fishing. We didn't catch anything, again, but Jeremiah sure tried.

Mr. Jonas loves playing with our bait. They bought these big, fat worms that Jonas loves to experiment with.

He threw one in the water, put one on a tree and wrapped one around baby bear's neck, like a scarf, to keep him warm.

I don't do much because I'm just too big to do anything. I can't wait for the day to finally arrive. I am so ready to see this baby and to be myself again. I can't even walk for very long.

My little man has been so patient. He understands that his baby brother is in my tummy. No jealousy yet and I hope it stays that way.

Our whole world revolves around Jonas. I kind of feel bad, because we will be taking that attention from him. It will all work out. I hope.