Our Polar Bear

It's been awhile since I've update the blog on things the boys are currently doing and saying. So here's our latest update on Joel.

Joel loves babies. He's always been such a good big brother to Vance but especially lately he loves babies. He loves to play with them and make them smile. He likes to help get their toys and is so gentle with them. Now granted he's not around them much but he loves them just the same. (No this is not an announcement.) The other day we were looking at a photography blog and the blogger had photographed a mom who was pregnant with triplets. Needless to say he belly was really big. Joel was fascinated with it and so I was explaining how that mommy had three babies in her tummy. Joel thought for a minute and said: "mommy if you had 5 babies in your tummy that would be awesome!" When I told Tj this story he said, "No, no it would not be awesome." I did have to clarify to Joel and Vance that mommy's tummy only can have one baby in it at a time.

Joel also is quite the fashionisto. The other day I was sitting on the couch and he sat down next to me. My hair was down that day and was apparently getting in his way when he told me, "Mommy, your hair is too long- you should cut it."

He's growing up so fast. There are some things he was doing a few months ago that he doesn't do now. The thing I miss most is when he would ask for a napkin he would call it a natkin. I thought it was so cute. Tj always corrected him though and now he doesn't say it that way. Although every once in awhile he does slip up a little bit. He also had a pair of pants that had a label on the outside that went in the back. He really liked seeing the label and would always put them on with the label in the front. It was so cute- but Tj showed him the right way to put on those shorts and now he doesn't wear them that way anymore.

One morning we were hanging out on the couch and Joel was trying to get me to honk his nose. I was teasing him and wouldn't touch it. So he came up and said, "My honkey is broken. I need someone to help me and make the honk sound when I push my nose." It was really cute.

Joel is such a good brother and friend. The other night Vance was having a meltdown and really wanted something. Tj was trying to get him to calm down and ask for it nicely. So Joel was standing there by his side whispering what Vance should say to have Tj get him what he wanted it was so cute. He has always been so laid back and is usually willing to do whatever it is that Vance or his friends want to play. I'm always so proud of how well he plays with other kids and what a good brother he is to Vance.

Joel is still a really good eater. I have to admit that I always feel like I'm doing a good job parenting when the boys request a tomato or ask for more broccoli. But really I know it says more about their personalities than my parenting ability. Joel still would eat a cheese sandwich just about everyday, he loves yogurt and oatmeal, and likes to give his broccoli haircuts (thanks Ostvig cousins!!!). He will dip just about anything into just about anything (aka cheese sandwich into yogurt, apples into ranch or ketchup, carrots and broccoli into yogurt or ketchup or mustard) which often grosses me out but as long as he's eating I say let them be. Out here in CA they have Otter Pops again (yeah!!!!) and the boys have been properly introduced, especially since the weather has been SO hot lately. Joel's favorite Otter Pop flavor Louie Bloo Raspberry.

Joel is officially at the awkward photo stage.
It's not that he can't take good photos he just
usually chooses to make some random face or
pose right before you take the picture as evidenced
here and in the movie picture in the last post.

Joel is our Jumper. From the time he started
walking he rarely ever really walked. There
was usually at least a little hop in his step
if not an entire leap. He is still our Jumpin' Joel.
I cannot count the number of times we have
had to tell him to quit jumping around the condo
that we're staying in. The downstairs neighbor
will probably be relieved when we move into our own
place. (Besides the fact that the boys would wake
up and be running around at 6:45 if left to their own
devices. We try and keep them in bed as long after 7
as possible though. Sorry neighbors, only a couple more months!

Joel is funny about feet. I don't know if I
would say that he loves them but he likes
to play with his feet or our feet. It kind of
grosses me out because usually our feet
have been running around barefoot and
I don't mind feet as long as they're clean-
Joel doesn't even care if they're clean.
Silly, silly boy.