<marquee>Welcome to baby Liam's website!</marquee>

Mrs. Carff met me at home after I was done with work and the boys were done with soccer. She was in the house with Liam while I went outside to put the carseat back in my car. When I came back in, I heard her asking Liam if he was going to the bathroom- yes. Did he want the light on- no. He was still in there, so I poked my head in, and he was standing in the dark next to his little potty (fully clothed). I could tell he was making a dirty diaper, so I gave him his privacy. Next thing we know, we hear the toilet flush and Liam comes walking into the livingroom! I guess he's got the right idea- sort of!

Liam and I are having such a great time hanging out together in the mornings. Last Friday I took him to Target and Toys R Us to see what he would like for his birthday. A wonderful thing happened at lunch. Here is an example of how sweet Liam is: We ate at Santino's.It is the kind of place where you order and then sit down, and they bring you your food. The kid's special comes with a cookie which they give to you when you order. While we were waiting at our table, I let Liam go ahead and eat his cookie. He saw that I didn't have food, so he broke his cookie in half and handed it to me. I almost cried! It's just his nature to be so sweet and giving.

So, in regards to Liam's birthday party, I have decided to go low key. Wednesday, we will have family time. Friday morning, I invited my Mommy and Me friends over for a playdate. Friday night Gram is coming...shhh, the boys don't know! Sunday Jeannie and her mom have invited us over to Connie's house to grillout and let the boys swim again before they have to close the pool. That actually sounds like a lot of celebrating, but none of it is really involved. I am just so excited that it's his birthday. Liam is so cute trying to make two fingers stand up when we ask him how old he'll be!

9/16/2009 Liam is really talking a lot now. He repeats many words. Sometimes you really have to listen, and he may not say them much, but he's saying them! Occasionally he even outs two words together. I can understand a lot more of what he says than most people, but sometimes even I don't get it. When I came out of the shower the other day he was laying on my bed saying over and over something that sounded like, "Momma bus. Momma bus." That's not something you want to hear when you've had no clothes on!! Maybe I need the gym more than I already know I do! The word he kept saying today was "backpack." Another word he says that I haven't mentioned is "sock," only it sounds like "hock."

When I picked Liam up from Mother's Day Out today, it really struck me how much of a little boy is has become. I always think of him as the baby of our family. Especially when Andrew is around I feel that way. I know he has the cutest personality, but when the two boys are together, It's easy to just quickly think the "older one" and the "younger one" without considering their individual traits. But Liam is now comfortable and confident being at Hillcrest and when I picked him up he was just bopping down the hall like he owned the place. He only gave one big fuss and sad face when I gave him to Mrs. Gale this morning. It used to be that when I arrived to pick him up he immediately ran to me like he had been waiting for my return all morning. Yesterday and today he jumped up when he saw me, but ran over to his cubby to get his things first. He was so excited to show me the papers he colored and was so proud of them. It is just the sweetest thing to watch! I can't believe he will be two next week. He has grown a lot in the last couple of months, and I don't mean physically.

9/10/2009 Liam's 2 year old check-up was this morning.

His stats: height- 31.5 inches/ almost 5th percentile

weight- 26 pounds/ about 25th percentile

newest words:

cup

trash (sounds like gash)

love bug (doesn't quite sound like "bug, " but it's cute anyway)

he also has been saying "yes" for awhile, but I don't know if I've mentioned it (sounds like yesh)

I got the best hug from Liam today. He has learned to put his little arms around you neck and squeeze. It is the most amazing feeling!!! I have been meaning to mention how sweet Liam is. If I fold laundry and it is lying on the livingroom floor, Liam will pick it up without my asking and carry it to the room where it belongs. He is always very helpful and you never have to ask him. He's also very caring. When Andrew gets hurt (or when I banged my elbow the other day), Liam always comes and comforts him. Also, when we picked Andrew up from school one day last week, Liam got excited when we saw Andrew and threw his arms around him in a big hug. Of course there was a chorus of "Awwww" from all of the parents standing around. Then Liam insisted on holding Andrew's hand all the way to the car. So sweet!

9/2/2009 So, I went yesterday to sign Liam up for MDO. I wasn't sure if I was going to leave him, but I did. When we went in the classroom, there were three other boys there and they were all crying. When I tried to leave, Liam cried too. Everytime one baby would stop crying but another would start, then they'd all start again! The teachers, Mrs. Roberta and Mrs. Gayle were so patient. They just loved on the babies and played with them until they calmed down. All of the moms were crowded around the door trying to peek in and not be seen. Then we moved to the lobby where there is a big screen tv that projects images from the classrooms. After we watched that for a bit, the mommies started trickling out to their cars. I felt really sad walking out and had to try hard not to lose it! I wished we were in SC. Then I would have run straight to Katy's house and filled my empty arms with baby Jack! Of course Cameron laughed at me and said I should fill my arms with another baby of my own. Hmpf...easy for him to say! Anyway, I messed around a bit and when I was thinking of going to pick Liam up, Cameron called and suggested we go to lunch together. We actually went to lunch all on our own without any kids climbing on us. That was kinda nice. When I went back to get Liam, the teachers were walking with them in a 6 seat stroller. All of the kids were happy, and one was asleep. Liam spotted me all the way down the hall and was very happy to see me. They said he did well and ate a lot of his lunch.

This morning Liam was excited to get his backpack out and when I asked if he wanted to go to school, he said yes everytime. However, when we got there he did not want me to leave. He wanted to be there but only if mommy was there too. I did leave after a few minutes and cried along with some others, but I stayed in the lobby until he was calm. It didn't take long. I had an appointment today, so Cameron picked the kids up from school. He said Liam was excited to see him. Now he is asleep and is taking a long nap. I guess MDO wears him out. I'll keep him home with me tomorrow. :)

8/31/2009 Tomorrow is supposed to be Liam's first day of "school." I have made the heartwrenching decision to send him to Hillcrest's Mother's Day Out program. I still love St. Paul's Preschool, but Hillcrest just makes more sense with our schedule and Liam's age right now. I will go and sign the papers and pay tomorrow. I'll also have to let St. Paul's know we won't be enrolling this year and make sure I get on next year's list! Hillcrest's program is 3 days a week and I am still not ready for that. One good thing about the program is that it is less structured and has a stronger "babysitting component." Therefore, I can take him for just part of the day if I want to, and he won't bemissing out on too much if I don't take him everyday. It will be very flexible.

The reason I said "supposed to be" is because I haven't decided if I will leave Liam tomorrow. I wish MMO started a different week than dance. I feel like I am abandoning him this week. Miss Emily will be here with the kids on Monday and Thursday afternoons, and Liam has the option of MMO on Tues.-Thurs. He is much more of a "Mamma's Boy" than Andrew ever was. It broke my heart this evening when he was utterly exhausted (wouldn't even get out of bed) and was just crying "Mamma, Maaaa-mmaaa" over and over. When I held and rocked him, he was so content. That's all he wanted. How can I spend so much time away from him so suddenly? I know I am being sappy... I think Andrew starting Kindergarten has made me realize even more how quickly the kids grow up and away. I just want to hold and rock Liam as often as I can! I am very grateful that Andrew is not too cool to hug me at school or sit in my lap in the car when we get there early. I know that day is coming...

8/27/2009 One or both of the boys have been coming into our room at night pretty much every day that we've been in this house. Yesterday morning I commented to Cameron on how it would be so nice to get one night of sleep without the kids waking us up and getting in our bed. We have gotten Andrew to come in our room and lay down in a sleeping bag, but Liam crawls into the bed with us. When the alarm went off this morning, I realized we had not been woken up last night, and there were no kids in our bed! After I took a shower, I went into Andrew's room to wake him up. Guess what I saw?! Liam in bed asleep with Andrew. It was sooo sweet and cute! Of course I ran to get the camera. The picture isn't so great, but you'll get the idea.

8/26/2009 Liam is saying all kinds of words now! He may not say all of them consistently, but he is making great strides with his communication.

Liam got a haircut today. It is not too dramatic, but at least people won't say "she."

Also, Liam has a new "boo-boo" (he likes that word) on his face today. It's a huge welt and cult sort of injury that starts about and inch above his left eye and ends about half an inch below. I saw it happen, but didn't really understand. Here's what I got out of Andrew: Liam was holding onto Andrew when Andrew took off toward the wall in my bedroom. That pulled Liam forward and he plowed face first into the endge of my open bedroom door. It was so loud and I saw Liam hit the floor. It was a bad one. When will my boys ever be injury free?

Tomorrow Liam and I will visit Hillcrest Baptist Church's Preschool Open house. That church is close by and they have a program for Liam's age that meets Tues.-Thurs. I really want only two days a week, but they don't offer that. Next Tues. is the Open House for Andrew's old preschool. Liam has been offered a spot there, but it would be in the 2 year-old class. I am just not sure he is ready, but I love that school! I could still do two days a wekk. I just can't decide...I'll let you know what I choose.

8/23/2009 Liam is saying more words. He is copying words when we ask him to sometimes. He says, "Please", but it sounds like "peas" or "bees." Of course he gives a big smile when he says it.

8/13/2009 What's new with Liam? Well he's picked up a few new words and started using some others more often. mo= more nack= snack oosh= shoes

Liam is also getting three new teeth. Those spaces next to his canine teeth are filling in. Only one bottom tooth is lagging behind. *I just went to check that fact and could only feel two of the three teeth, so I could be wrong. However, that brings me to my next point. Liam has started biting a bit. Usually it's not very hard, but just now he almost drew blood from my finger.

We are also struggling with bedtime. Now that Liam can get out of his bed, he RUFUSES to go to bed. It's very trying and frustrating at the end of the day. Also, every night, both Andrew and Liam are getting into bed with us. THIS IS NOT OKAY WITH ME. It makes me very cranky the next day. We are working hard to put a stop to it. However, they are sneaky little boys. Sometimes we are so asleep, that we don't notice them climbing in the bed. Then, we are awoken by a foot in the face or the inability to change positions. Last night was a better night.

Liam can stand on his tiptoes and just reach the doorknobs in this house. He can't turn them and open the door, but he can close one and lock himself inside. I have had to rescue him a number of times.

Monica , the director of Andrew's old preschool (the one that I love and want to attend myself) called and told me that there are still openings in their two year old class (very unusual, normally there is a waiting list). Liam is on the waiting list for the one year old class (1 day a week). She is willing to let Liam try the two year old class this year since he has a September birthday. It's a three day a week class, but I am only ready for two days. She said I could pick which two days. I think we will try to swing it. My reasons for wanting to do this are many. In part, I don't want to miss an opportunity to get into this school. Also, I will be able to have one morning to volunteer in Andrew's classroom and one morning kid-free. Of course, I also think it will be good for Liam too.

*Hint* It's the same kid who keeps stealing and eating uncooked pasta out of the pantry. Yuk!

6/2/2009 You will see that I have posted some pictures of Liam at the kid's fountain at Riverplace. Liam had a great time and was so much fun to watch.

Yesterday Liam held his monkey blanket to his shoulder and patted it's back. Then he insisted on hugging me and patting my back too.

Andrew has figured out that he can undo Liam's seatbelt now too. Sometimes this is very helpful, and sometimes it means that Liam will climb all over the car and pitch a fit when I make him get out.

Andrew has also figured out that if he takes his little plastic stool and puts it in front of Liam's crib, he can get Liam out. This is kind of sweet. In the mornings or after Liam's nap, often Andrew will go in and get Liam. Usually they come out of the room smiling and laughing. Many times when I go to get Liam when he has woken up, he is very clingy and wimpy. Sometimes I like to get Liam and have the time to hold him (he is often too busy to grab and hold now), and sometimes it's nice for Andrew to help and get Liam in a good mood.

I have had to start actually disciplining Liam with time-out. Although he still doesn't speak much, I know full well that he understands almost evry single thing that we say to him. Sometimes he does things that I rather he'd not do and that I have told him many times is not okay. For example, he climbs on the dining table and swings the chandelier, pushes buttons on the compuet and other electronic devices and pulls his brother's hair. Let me tell you, it is soooo hard to get mad at that adorable little boy. When I get on to him and put him in time-out, he acts like I have crushed him and looks at me with big blue watery eyes. He makes the funniest faces too. Often, I have a hard time keeping from laughing. Sometimes when time out is over, he makes it into a game and crawils back into the chair. Last time he had to sit, he repeatedly pointed to the chair next to him indicating that I should sit too.

I have been trying to catch the funny faces Liam makes with the video camera, but of course he quits making them when he sees the camera.

When Liam got up from hid nap today, he pointed inside his mouth. He was telling me he wanted a snack. I guess he is creating his own sign language now. It's the same motion he did when he looked at the food flashcards.

That's enough for now. I am sure there is more, and I promise to try and keep up!

5/30/2009 In the mornings when I go to get Liam out of his crib, he has one leg propped up on the edge trying to climb out. If he were just a little taller, he would have the leverage he needs to pull himself up and over. It won't be long now before he is climbing out!

He also climbs into the car on his own. He loves to play in the car too. Everytime we get home, he ends up screaming and crying when I make him go into the house.

One morning when I got Liam out of bed, he insisted on bringing his monkey into the kitchen with him. When we got into the kitchen, he laid the monkey on the floor and "fed" him from his sippy cup of milk. It was so cute. I have never done that before, so I don't know where he picked it up.

Later that same day, while we were in the car, I heard a new noise. At first I wasn't sure where it was coming from. I turned off the radio and realized it was Liam. I turned to peer at him, and he had one of the weapons from Andrew's transformer. Liam was repeatedly pushing it forward into the air and making a shooting noise. Now he makes a shooting noise out of everything he thinks could be a gun. Aaaargh! I guess they start the gun thing even younger when they have an older brother.

I have some flash cards that I used with Andrew that I now show to Liam. I usually do it while we eat a meal. (He's a captive audience.) When I show him the violin, he rubs one forearm with the other hand and says "baugh baugh baugh." I don't know where he got that, but it is obviously a montion for playing the violin! Also, today I noticed that he points to his mouth whenever I show him a food picture. When I hold up the rabbit picture, I always make bunny ears with my fingers and say, "hop hop hop." He does that now too, and when the picture is any animal he does a kind of hopping motion.

After dropping Andrew off at school today, Liam and I had time to kill before going back to the preschool for the party. We headed down to the Falls park Riverbank area, so I could get a lattea (a tea latte) and we could spend time outside. While we waited for the tea bar to open, four baby ducks came right up to us at the edge of the sidewalk. They were only about a foot and a half away. Liam backed up at first, but then wasn't scared at all. We stood for a long time looking at them. They sat down in the grass right next to us. Of course my camera was in the car.

I am considering combining the websites into one family site. Two sites are a lot to keep up with sometimes. My goal in having a separate site for Liam was to record all of his baby "firsts." However, having two sites does force me to think of individual stories about each kid. Keep checking back.