Where do they learn this stuff?

As I sit here exhausted from ANOTHER long night with Brody, I am also amazed. My kids are now 2 and 9 months! I think back to two years ago when Delaney was just a little baby- a couple months old- and how much she didn't do. Now, she is a full functioning toddler. Then I think about Brody. Just one year ago, he was sticking his heel so far up my rib cage that I would fight him to get it down to relieve the pain. My belly was round, my face was fatter and my head was swirling with questions on how I was going to do it all. Now I know... I can't. But something that I just realized is that I CAN look at my kids everyday and see how far they've come. It is remarkable. I find it fascinating how they have fallen into their stereotypical roles of 'boy' and 'girl'.

Delaney loves to wear cute clothes. Yes, there are many times when I have to take the galoshes off of her, but other than that, she is excited to see what she is going to wear. She loves to have bows in her hair and have her nails painted. Recently, she has been obsessed with dolls- "beebees" as she calls them. My mother-in-law bought her one when I had my baby shower for Brody and she has started a nice little collection. The funny thing is, I never taught her how to hold a baby or play with a baby- she just did it. I know that watching me with Brody helped, but she is so adorable with them. She got a kitchen from Santa and she has taken on the roll of cooking all sorts of goodies for us. Sure, she shoves the spoon down Brody's throat and he gags, but she is sharing right? She is a girls girl on one hand and a tom boy (one word?-Ami?) on the other. She can be in her cutest outfit and be in the garage with my dad and Eric looking at the gogocycles (motorcycle in Delaney land) or looking under the hood of a truck. I think about the hospital with her big ol lump on her head (she had a pretty good size hematoma (sp??)) and how scared I was to have this new baby and now I think- Holy crap- she is such a little girl. She is stubborn and independent, but she is not a blob- she is hysterical and caring.

Such a girl, but such a tom boy....

One of her many beebees

Sitting on top of the house... always testing me:)

Then there's monkey man. Brody came into this world somewhat unplanned and I am so thankful for the best surprise ever. I was so nervous about having a baby with an 18 month old, but when he came out, it was instant love. Now I can't believe my life. There are aspects in my life that I would give anything to change, but having my living room a mess because of toys everywhere is not one of them. Brody is a boy. "Duh" right? No, I mean he is a BOY. This child loves cars and trucks. The natural instinct that he has to scoot across the floor pushing a car is amazing to me. I didn't teach him that! He loves cars! He also LOVES doors. He loves to open and close them(I have a towel hanging over the top so he doesn't smash his fingers). He likes to see how things work- like the washer and dryer for instance. If I need a second to do something, I turn on the washer or dryer and he will just sit and watch it (hmmm....that doesn't sound like the best activity when I write it down:). Brody wants to walk- he gets up on his walker and takes off across the room- usually chasing Delaney or the ball. That's the other thing- he actually plays ball. He will sit across from you, get onto his knees and throw the ball to you while belly laughing. It is the most amazing thing! And the funniest thing- turn on some music and the little man will boogie. I have to post a video- it is so funny! He is 9 months old for crying out loud. I can't believe that just over 9 months ago, he wasn't even here and now I almost have 2 walking kids! Seriously, HOW do they learn all of this?!

Pushing his truck....right before he chucks it across the room.

Playing ball by himself- he throws it at the wall and it comes back to him. Funny!

He's up....

He's on the move!

I can't wait to see what the next year brings....well I sort of can. It is so sad how fast time goes. I want them to stay little. Stay little but pee in the potty and sleep all night:)