Category: Pete

Poor Pete’s had a rough start to his birthday.  For the first time in his two years, he threw up.  And was up all night intermittently throwing and going.  We all cuddled on the couch overnight and it was heartbreaking to watch him feel so miserable.  He was such a trooper and seems to be on the mend now, so hopefully that is the end of it.

If I thought Pete’s first year flew by, his second year has gone even faster.  I cannot believe he is two already!  He’s been very excited about his birthday and we had plans to go to the aquarium for the day, but we had to postpone and will hopefully go another day soon.  He took the news pretty well and we’re still hoping to go to the zoo tomorrow.  Pete’s one request for his birthday was a motorcycle, but I told him that would likely never happen on my watch … I think he’ll survive 🙂

A lot has changed since this day two years ago:

Pete is such a sweet, funny, happy, smart and lovable guy.  He gives the best hugs, is so empathetic and sometimes I still can’t believe he’s our son.  We won the lottery when it comes to kids. He has truly changed our lives in the most amazing way possible.

Happy Birthday Pete!  We love you so much and are so lucky to be your parents.

Finally. We’ve been taking advantage of the great weather and doing lots of playing outside.  Pete loves going to the playground, and luckily there are a couple within walking distance of our house. Slides make him happy!

 

We’ve also been spending lots of time at the zoo.  Not only does Pete love the animals (elephants and giraffes are his favorite) but there is a cool little playground too, and his favorite thing to do is paint.

 

Happy Spring!

Pete’s had a great St. Patrick’s Day weekend!  We went to a parade yesterday, which he loved.  There were endless fire trucks, police cars and boats.  There was great music, lots of dancing and it was just a fun day. Pete watched most of the action atop Dada’s shoulders.  It was pretty cute watching him dance and exclaim “another one” every time he saw a fire truck or police car.  He was tuckered out by the end, and almost fall asleep in my arms.

Pete’s a lucky little Irishman and got some new St. Paddy’s Day clothes from ShayKay’s parents, Una and Padraig.  We love them!  He wore one of his new shirts to school on Friday and got so many compliments.  The scally cap is from Ireland too (a gift from Shay and Kris when they were there for Christmas) but he likes throwing it off his head more than he likes wearing it.  He looks so cute in it though, and I can’t wait for him to like wearing it.

We went to an Irish pub this afternoon to watch some Irish step dancing.  Pete loved it.  Every time the kids finished, he would say “again! again!”.  He danced to the Irish music and had such rosy red cheeks – if I didn’t know better, I’d swear he’d been drinking!  He even scored this green hat:

From our mischievous little leprechaun to yours, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

 

 

Pete and I went for a walk this afternoon.  He thoughtfully put a pair of Pat’s old ski goggles in the stroller and off we went.  We walked at Pete pace up the hill and then he decided to put the goggles on and rest for a minute:

He wore the goggles the rest of the walk and waved at everyone he saw.  I was smiling to myself the whole time.  He just might be one of the funniest people I know.

Pete had a major change to his routine this week.  I started a new job as a school nurse, which meant that Pete started school too!  He is still lucky enough to be watched by his grandparents two days a week, but will now go to school three days a week.  We looked at several schools in our area, but all loved one the best. We’ve had several play dates there and talked a lot about this new chapter in our lives, so his first day wasn’t a total surprise to him. He’s so easygoing and really enjoyed being with the other kids.  On his last play date before he started, he didn’t want to leave and kept asking to “play kids?” … so that helped make us both feel better, as we agonized over the decision on whether to give up my 24 hour/week job in the hospital to start working five days a week.  We ultimately decided that working shorter days and having weekends, holidays and summers off would be better for our whole family.

 

 

It was incredibly difficult to leave him that first day.  He was so excited to be there playing until he realized that Pat and I would be leaving.  Then the tears started.  The teachers promised us he would be okay, and I stood in the hallway until he stopped crying (crying myself, of course).  The school has webcams in every classroom, so we were able to check in on him all day.  His teachers also called with updates to let us know how he was doing.  He was a little tearful at times, but overall had a great first day and I know he’s going to love it.  We lucked out this week too because I had my first snow day today and got to stay home and snuggle with my buddy all day instead!

 

Pete and I have both been sick, which made for a very long week. We’re finally on the mend and feeling better, but Pete woke up crying in the middle of the night on Friday.  I usually give it a few minutes to see if he’ll settle back down but then I heard a “hug, Mama?” so I went in to check on him.  He stood up for a hug and wanted to snuggle.  As we rocked in the glider, he looked into my eyes and said “I love you Mama”.  I melted.  And then cried.  Those words from his little lips might just be the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.  As he drifted off to sleep in my arms (a very rare occurrence) I felt like the luckiest person in the world.  Because of him, I am.

Thanksgiving came and went in a blur this year.  I can’t believe it’s almost December already … Pete and I talked a lot about who he was going to see on Thanksgiving this year.  He was very excited to see his Nana, Bumpa, Lizzie, Aunt Maureen (Aunt Mo-Mo) and Nana Quinn.  Over the summer, Nana Quinn taught Pete to say “giddy-up!” when he sat on his rocking horse. So the day before Thanksgiving, he asked me if giddy up was going to be there.  And now that’s what he calls Nana Quinn.  Sometimes, he calls her Q, which is equally adorable.  We sing songs at night about all the people that love him, and without fail, when I mention Nana Quinn now, he stops, smiles at me and says “giddy up”.  It’s pretty cute.  They have a special bond and I love it.

We in the Marr house are thankful a lot; our families and friends especially, but most certainly for Pete.  He has changed our lives so much and I am forever thankful that I get to be his mom.