We're going to Disney

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of telling Jackson and Brielle we were going to Disney!  Now, Brielle didn't really care, but Jackson was thrilled.  It was as exciting for me as it was for Jackson.  I can't wait to show him all of Disney and show him a great time!  Watch out Mickey, here we come..

Cousins

So, there is one thing that I have always wanted to offer my children, but had no control over.  And that is a cousin.  I was very lucky growing up.  While I have 2 first cousins on my father's side (I've regrettably never met them), but I have 3 first cousins on my mom's side, plus several distant cousins as well.  Jeremy has at least 14 cousins (he couldn't count them all), and plenty more distant cousins.  I swear everytime we meet someone new, he's telling me that this is a cousin of some sort.  Its really quite funny! 

One of the things that I loved about having cousins was that there were other kids at family holiday functions.  I remember putting on shows for my family after dinner and Jeremy remembers playing sports with his cousins.  We both saw our cousins often and really enjoyed the relationships we have formed with them. 

Now, its something that Jeremy and I have really hoped for, but to be honest had begun to give up hope, that they would have cousins that were remotely close in age to them.  Its not my sisters faults, one hasn't met "the one" yet, and the other is way too young.  Our only hope was Jeremy's brother and his wife, and at times they've acted as if they didn't want children.  So, we were never really expecting it. 

This past Thanksgiving, Jackson asked us while we were driving to Gramma & Pop-Pops, "are there going to be other kids there?".  We had to unfortunately tell him no, and it made us sad that Jackson doesn't have cousins.  Well, Thanksgiving 2010 will be very different.  I will be able to answer him and say "Yes, Jackson there will be".  I am very excited to announce that Tim & Melinda are expecting their first child in May 2010.  And its going to be a little girl!  Congratulations! 

No Comparison

At least that is what I have to tell myself about 100 times a day. Its usually after Brielle has climbed the stairs for the 15th time that day, that I can't take it. I know this is true of a ton of families, but how do you have 2 children with the exact same genetics, that can be SO different. Both of their personalities have great positives, and (a few negatives, though I think I'm bias), but they are night and day. I love them both so much, but it just continually amazes me how different they are. And so I am continually reminding myself not to compare and to enjoy each of them for who they are.