 
Drew (almost 3)
He dotes on his baby sister. The best tricks in his arsenal of ways to make Leah laugh are 1) doing "this little piggy" with her toes 2) smelling her "stinky feet" 3) shaking his head while saying, "treeeeeee house!". He loves Thomas the Train, Phineas & Ferb and Toy Story 1, 2, & 3. When he talks, he makes adorable mistakes like saying you're hungry when he means that he is hungry. He is eating me out of house and home. We run and giggle all day long. His most hilarious trait is the ability to make everything your idea. He'll say something, and if you repeat it to him for clarification, he answers with, "Okay!". Example:
Him: "Life in a bag?"
Me: "You want cereal in a bag."
Him: "Okay!"
Leah (10 months) (Drew took the above picture of Leah)
She climbs stairs and walks with assistance. She knows sign language for all done and more. She claps, blows bubbles in the tub, and she tries to mimic every sound we make. Her giggle is so positively infectious that I can't help but try and make her giggle all day. She plays with my hair when I nurse her so gently. Her chubby-cheeked smile makes me melt every time. The stairs are her favorite place to play. Down 4 steps, up 2. Look to see if someone is watching/chasing her. Repeat.
I'm in love.
Don't get me wrong. It's not all butterflies and rainbows. Drew steals the toys out of her hands. Leah screams at the top of her lungs when he gets in her face trying to "snuggle" with her. There's poopy diapers galore, wet beds, temper tantrums, and the worst type of picky eating you can imagine. There are long hours overnight at work and sleep-deprived days that follow. This week I've been flying solo as a single parent while Bryce hops from business trip straight to a guys weekend.
It's hard. I'm not always patient. I am a work in progress. I am trying, but there are times I feel totally unqualified for the job of Mom. As corny as this sounds, I get why they say that it takes a village to raise a child. This year, I am thankful for the family, friends, and community around us. I couldn't have made it through this year without everyone. I am thankful for my Mom and Dad, my brothers and sister and their spouses. I am thankful for my nieces and nephews whom Drew looks up to like superheros. I am thankful for the incredible group of friends I've fallen in with here in town, and the friends that live far away. I am thankful for the town preschool program that gives me a little break and all that it gives to Drew.
I hope to give back as much as I get. After all, we are the Village People, right?
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