Growing up

These boys grow up in front of our eyes.  It's a little scary when I actually SEE and FEEL them growing in my arms.  I was putting Luke to bed last night and looked at the picture on his nightstand.  It is a picture of Luke and me kissing when I was in the hospital after having Ben.  That was just one year ago, but in the picture Luke looks SO little and young.  He now seems like a giant in comparison, a young boy, talking in full sentences, reasoning, using logic to argue or prove his point, comprehending complicated things, articulating his feelings, etc.  Ugh, this is what EVERYONE says will happen.  They will grow up before your eyes.  They are big in a blink of an eye.  It's happening right in front of our eyes.

Just a few months ago I wrote about Luke's struggle to be alone without me, his anxiety when we go to MOPS or the gym.  He would cry hysterically and ask me to stay with him.  Well, he is warming up to people and surprising his mom and dad quite a bit!  The other day we were with my friend, Ashley, and Luke adores her (she is wonderful....it's no wonder he adores her).  Ben needed to nap - badly - so we had to go.  Luke begged to stay with Ashley. Ashley told him to stay, said they'd play and have a snack.  I kept asking him "are you sure you want to stay, Luke?"  He confirmed over and over again.  I was sure I'd get a call before I was out of the driveway, Luke crying for me to come back.  But I didn't.  It was about 3:30pm.  At 5pm I still hadn't heard from them, so I went to pick him up and he was snuggled in by Ashley, playing a game with her.  He still wasn't ready to leave.  Wow, his first time without mom since he left daycare on May 1, 2011 (other than grandparents, or uncles Pete and Joe).  A week or so later the same thing happened, except this time he stayed with Ashley's 12 year old son, Mason, because he didn't want to go for a walk with us in the jogger stroller.  He hardly knows Mason, but Mason said he would play golf with Luke.  Again, I thought for sure I'd get a call from Mason, but nope, when we returned half an hour later Luke was snuggled in with Mason this time, watching some funny song on the computer.  My boy is getting a little more brave and grown up.  I actually missed him both times when he was away from me....even for just a short time.

Luke is also starting to interact and play with other kids/friends and he has started falling asleep without us in his room at night.  I have to admit, I miss him needing me in his bed with him in order to fall asleep - and hearing him beg me to "day, mama, day." But I know it is healthier for him to learn to get to sleep on his own.  And ever since he has been falling asleep on his own, he also has stopped getting up 2-3 times per night coming into my room and slapping the bed saying, "Come, Mama."  So we are all sleeping much better at the Hannig Home.

A few people have said to me lately "where is the baseball helmet???!!!"  Luke hasn't worn his helmet in quite a while, and if he does, it is just for a brief bit of time.  It's hard to believe it was already a year ago that he refused to take it off in the summer heat and humidity.  Another sign of growing up...a stage that came and went so fast.

And Ben.  I can't forget about Ben.  He is walking and cannot be contained anymore.  He has a mind of his own and a stubborn streak once in a while, but overall he is a pleasant, laid back little dude who takes his brother's shenanigans in stride and flashes his big smile often.  He started giving kisses - really drooly open mouthed ones that I LOVE.  He kisses Luke when I tell him to.  It's adorable.  He also now rides his little battery operated 4 wheeler on his own.  Luke and I were up in the kitchen a few weeks ago and all of a sudden I heard this buzz...the buzz of the moving 4 wheeler.  I ran over to the living room and there was Ben, zooming across the room on the 4 wheeler, holding on and leaning back as though he was going 120mph.  He is rarely seen off of it now.  He is recognizing objects, although he hasn't added any words to his vocabulary.  If I say, "where is your puppy?" he will look around until he finds his little puppy.  Today I told him to get his book and he grabbed it from his crib before I lifted him out.

It's time for bed so I'm just going to end this post without a nice little wrap-up.  When tired, it's hard to type about the emotions I feel when thinking of my boys growing up!  Good night, friends.


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